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North Carolina Forest Service issues burning ban

POLK COUNTY—The North Carolina Forest Service issued a burning ban on Monday for all outdoor fires. 

The ban was effective as of 5 p.m. Monday because of current conditions. 

The statewide ban was issued after a wildfire began over the weekend at Pilot Mountain. As of Monday morning, the fire at Pilot Mountain had burned more than 500 acres and was not contained. The wildfire spread quickly in the area’s dry and windy conditions. 

The statewide burning ban is for all open burning outdoors with all burning permits canceled as of Monday. The ban will be in effect until further notice. 

Local fire departments have been alerting residents for days to refrain from burning outdoors because of the conditions. 

“This notice is going out to all those that received a permit since Oct. 31, 2021,” states the Town of Tryon’s press release. “The ban is necessary because of dry weather in the region and the probability of wildfire occurrence.”

The issuance of any new permits has been suspended until the ban is lifted. Anyone caught violating the burning ban will have to pay a $100 fine and $183 in court costs. Local fire departments and law enforcement are assisting the forest service to enforce the burning ban. 

Anyone with questions can contact their local North Carolina Forest Ranger or the county fire marshal’s office.