The North Carolina Forest Service issued a ban on all open burning more than 100 feet from occupied dwellings and canceled all burning permits statewide due to an increased fire risk. This ban took effect at 5 p.m. Monday and goes until further notice.
According to a news release, the ban prohibits open burning regardless of previous permits and any new permits have been suspended until the ban is lifted. Carteret and Pitt Counties have issued an additional ban on burning within 100 feet of dwellings as of Tuesday morning. Carteret’s ban started Monday night and Pitt’s ban is effective at noon.
Open burning includes burning leaves, branches or other plant material. Burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material is always illegal. This means campfires are banned, but grills or portable gas stoves can still be used if no other local ordinances prohibit them.
Any violations of the state burn ban face a $100 fine plus $183 court costs and any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable to cover the costs related to extinguishing it.
You can visit theforest service website for more information.