Camping fire bans widen
New wildfire restrictions are tightening spring camping: New York imposed a statewide brush‑burn ban through May 14, western North Carolina is enforcing burn bans with $283 citations, and some events like MerleFest have banned all campground fires. (eu.lohud.com) (wlos.com) (journalpatriot.com)
Spring camping across parts of the East is getting tighter as fire officials widen burn restrictions in New York and North Carolina. (dec.ny.gov) (ncagr.gov) In New York, the annual statewide ban on residential brush burning began March 16 and runs through May 14, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said. The agency said the rule targets spring brush fires, when dead grass and leaves can carry flames quickly. (dec.ny.gov) (lohud.com) New York’s rules still allow backyard fire pits and campfires if they are under 3 feet high and 4 feet wide, long, or in diameter, and only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated or unpainted wood may be burned. Burning garbage or leaves is banned year-round. (dec.ny.gov) North Carolina moved further, issuing a statewide ban on all open burning effective 6 p.m. on March 28 and canceling burning permits in all 100 counties until further notice. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said drought, forecast fire weather and limited rainfall raised the risk of new wildfires. (ncagr.gov) That statewide order does not automatically cover fires within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, where local governments can set stricter rules. In western North Carolina, county fire marshals said they are issuing warnings and $283 citations as local bans expand. (ncagr.gov) (wlos.com) The drought picture in North Carolina has worsened this month. The state Department of Environmental Quality said on April 2 that 15 counties were in extreme drought, 79 were in severe drought and six were in moderate drought. (deq.nc.gov) Event organizers are tightening rules too. The Town of Wilkesboro said on April 13 that all campfires are prohibited at any campground during MerleFest weekend, scheduled for April 23 through April 26, because of extreme fire danger, ongoing drought and little to no rain in the forecast. (wilkesboronc.org) (ymcanwnc.org) MerleFest campers still have reservations, shuttles and campsites, but not the usual fire ring. For spring campers, the split is now stark: New York is still allowing small recreational fires under state rules, while North Carolina and some festival campgrounds are moving to near-zero tolerance. (dec.ny.gov) (ncagr.gov) (wilkesboronc.org)
