CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With hundreds of acres burning in the Tar Heel state and dry weather conditions continuing, the North Carolina Forest Service has issued a burn ban for more than two dozen western counties in North Carolina.
But what are the rules when it comes to implementing burn bans in certain counties?
OUR SOURCES
WHAT WE FOUND
According to the state forest service, open burns, including leaf burning and campfires, are now banned in 30 counties across western North Carolina.
Anyone violating this burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs and anyone who is caught setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire, according to the North Carolina Forest Service.
But it’s important to understand that this burn ban does not apply to any fire that’s within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. So if you have a fire pit that’s 99 feet from your house it’s not subject to the forest service ban. But it is subject to burn bans that may be instituted by local fire marshals.
Gaston County, for example, issued its burn ban on Nov. 5 and this prohibits open fires that are within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, which would include our hypothetical fire pit that’s 99 feet away.
But what about grills or barbecues?
These are exempt from both the forest service burn ban and the Gaston County ban so they would be allowed -- if you’re in Gaston County. Check with your local fire marshal for the rules in your area, and keep in mind that bans can be instituted, or lifted, at any time -- as weather conditions warrant.
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