CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A burn ban has been put into effect for another 16 western North Carolina counties due to an increasing risk of wildfires, according to the North Carolina Forest Service.
This notice went into effect on Wednesday, November 8th at 5 p.m. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.
The counties affected by this issue include: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Catawba, Haywood, Iredell, Lincoln, Madison, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey County.
The forest services say the open burning ban has been put into place to help prevent an increase in wildfires due to the extremely dry conditions in western North Carolina. Officials say the ban applies to all open burning regardless if a person has attained a burning permit.
The ban prohibits burning leaves, branches, plant material, trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other non-vegetative materials. Additionally, recreation fires, bonfires and outdoor fireplaces are prohibited.
Cooking fires via gas, pellet, charcoal grills or outdoor cookers and smokers are still allowed.
This notice comes three days after the North Carolina Forest Service issued a burn ban to 14 counties due to hazardous forest fire conditions.
No exceptions will be made, and violations in the 16 counties will carry a minimum $100 fine plus $180 in court costs.
