Burn Ban Lifted For 18 ENC Counties

The burn ban for Beaufort, Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Dare, Duplin, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Pitt, Tyrrell and Washington counties has been lifted.  Recent rainfall has improved conditions across the region and the threat of wildfires has been reduced.  According to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, wildland firefighters responded to more than 50 wildfires while the ban was in place.  Even though permits are available again, N.C. Forest Service officials urge caution when conducting open burning.