Don’t be the neighbor that burns down the neighborhood – use caution with outdoor fire

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Don’t be the neighbor that burns down the neighborhood – use caution with outdoor fire

While we encounter high fire danger days here and there this time of year, we’re in a better situation now relative to fire danger than we were two months ago. Vegetation has greened up and is a less receptive fuel for fire. While forest fire conditions aren’t hazardous right now, drought is certainly a stressor that contributes to fires burning longer, hotter, more intensely and being more difficult to control.

Caution with outdoor fire and anything that can throw a spark is critical. We emphasize simple actions like checking fire danger for your area, checking the weather and wind conditions, properly disposing of smoking materials such as cigarettes and being extremely careful with machinery, mowers and farm equipment when working outdoors.

When it comes to the application of outdoor fire, we recommend looking for a few key conditions before burning. If vegetation is dry, humidity is low, temperatures are warm and the wind is blowing, fire can start more easily and spread fast. On days like this, even small fires can get out of control quickly. If you see these conditions, it’s a good day to do something else. Let burning wait.

When you’re unsure, contact your N.C. Forest Service county ranger’s office for guidance.

Helpful Wildfire Prevention Resources

Check fire danger in your area.

Check weather alerts for your weather.

A helpful resource for landowners and the public is www.preventwildfirenc.org. This N.C. Forest Service site provides trusted guidance and best practices to help you prepare for
and prevent wildfire.

It’s important to burn debris safely to help prevent wildfires. Before you burn, check local conditions, make sure you have a valid burn permit, keep water and the necessary tools nearby and never leave a fire unattended. Small precautions can make a big difference in protecting homes, forests and communities.

Spread prevention, not wildfire.

Conditions can change faster than you think. Before burning outdoors, take a few steps to keep you and your neighbors safe.

Spread prevention, not wildfire.

What does high fire danger actually mean?

Let’s break it down to a few key conditions – how dry it is, how windy it is and how warm it gets.

Spread prevention, not wildfire.

The N.C. Forest Service is a division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Steve Troxler, Commissioner