NC burn ban, new wildfires

North Carolina’s statewide burn ban is entering its third week as crews work new wildfires in the mountains and dry spring weather keeps fire danger high. (wlos.com) The North Carolina Forest Service put the ban in place at 6 p.m. on March 28 and canceled burning permits across all 100 counties until further notice. State officials said drought, forecast fire weather and limited rainfall raised the risk of new starts. (ncagr.gov) On April 11, crews and aircraft responded to four new fires totaling 63 acres across the National Forests in North Carolina, and two of those fires grew larger than 5 acres. The Cole Gap Fire, 6 miles west of Cashiers, was listed at 55 acres and 50% containment on April 12. (wlos.com) The Cold Springs Fire, 15 miles north of Lake Junaluska, was estimated at 7 acres with 0% containment after being reported April 11. The United States Forest Service closed Cold Springs Road from Interstate 40 to Brown Gap Road while crews used aircraft, dozers and hand work in steep terrain. (wlos.com) The ban covers open burning statewide, even if someone already had a permit. Violators face a $100 fine plus $183 in court costs, and anyone who sets a fire can also be billed for suppression expenses. (ncagr.gov) The order does not automatically cover fires within 100 feet of an occupied home, where county fire marshals can set local restrictions. Campfires, fire pits farther than 100 feet from a home, and fireworks are barred under the state ban. (ncagr.gov) North Carolina is still seeing a steady stream of fire calls despite the ban. The Forest Service’s situation report said 43 wildfires burned 51.5 acres on private and state land on April 9 alone, with 242 fires and 1,378.7 acres reported month to date. (ncagr.gov) Crews are also dealing with heavier fuels in places hit by Hurricane Helene. The Forest Service said Helene-downed timber could raise wildfire risk for 10 to 20 years, and a federal update on the Looking Glass Fire said fallen trees in storm-damaged areas can help fire spread and slow firefighters trying to reach it. (wlos.com) (fs.usda.gov) That combination of dry weather, wind and storm debris is why officials have kept the March 28 burn ban in place into mid-April. For now, crews are trying to keep new fires small while smoke, road closures and patrols continue in western North Carolina. (ncagr.gov) (wlos.com)