Rain brings reprieve, residents encouraged to monitor conditions
By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Some good soaking rain was just what local forests needed to lift fire restrictions in North Carolina's national forests. According to a press release from the USDA Forest Service, fire restrictions in all four of North Carolina's national forests were lifted as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 2. This coincided with the statewide burning ban ending.
Most local bans on open burning have been lifted. However, residents are still urged to use extreme caution when burning debris on their property. In most areas, fires must be burned at least 100 feet from any occupied dwellings. Local fire marshals have authority to issue or lift burn bans within that space.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler reminded, "We are still in the midst of spring wildfire season and our recent wildfire activity, especially in western North Carolina, is a reminder to remain vigilant about burning safely and responsibly." The burn ban had been issued on Friday, March 21 as the result of extremely hazardous fire conditions, especially in areas already ravaged by Hurricane Helene six months ago.
Not only did the rainfall earlier this week reduce the overall fire danger, but it improved weather conditions to help firefighters battling several fires in western North Carolina, including the Rattlesnake Branch Fire on the Pisgah National Forest, the Black Cove Complex fire in Polk County and the Table Rock Complex fire in South Carolina. As of Tuesday, April 1, the Rattlesnake Branch Fire was approximately 1,865 acres and 24 percent contained. Nearly 160 personnel are on the fire, which is on private land near the community of Cruso, approximately 11 miles southeast of Waynesville. It started on Wednesday, March 26 and spread quickly because of dry conditions in the hardwood debris and leaves on the ground.
As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, the Black Cove fire was 97 percent contained after burning 3.500 acres. Table Rock Complex Fire had grown to more than 12.600 acres and is about 30 percent contained. Check with your local fire agency about a burn permit. Over the last few weeks, local fire departments in Clay County and the surrounding area have responded to woodland fires which spread quickly and put buildings in danger.
These are the guidelines published by the US Forest Service with the burn ban lift since many areas are experiencing warmer and windy weather which requires caution when burning.
• Forest visitors are allowed to build campfires and use camp stoves and fire rings.
Some important campfire tips to remember:
• Make sure your campfire is a safe distance from your tent or anything that can ignite unexpectedly.
• Use rocks to create a fire ring in the center of a large, cleared area.
• Use the Drown-Stir-Drown-Feel method to put out your campfire safely.
For details, check out Smokey Bear’s Campfire Safety webpage.
For wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/nfsnc or visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc.