N.C. Forest Service denies Brunswick County’s request for state burn ban

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — The N.C. Forest Service has denied Brunswick County’s request for a statewide burn ban, allowing certain permitted outdoor burning activities to continue despite ongoing exceptional drought conditions and recent wildfire activity.

Brunswick County officials announced Wednesday that they were notified the request had been denied after the N.C. Forest Service reviewed fire conditions, including vegetation that could serve as fuel, fuel moisture levels and overall dryness across the county.

“We are extremely disappointed and frustrated that our request has been rejected despite the significant fire risks and drought conditions we are facing here,” Brunswick County Chairman Mike Forte said. “It appears that these factors coupled with the recent wildfire are not enough to warrant a state burn ban for Brunswick County.”

Because a state burn ban was not issued, the N.C. Forest Service may continue issuing permits for burning natural vegetation more than 100 feet from an occupied dwelling, including open burning for land-clearing projects, as long as state burning and air quality regulations are followed.

County officials emphasized that Brunswick County does not have the authority to prohibit or revoke permits issued by the state..

The county requested the state burn ban after Brunswick County reached Exceptional Drought (D4) status on the U.S. Drought Monitor, the highest level of drought classification. Commissioners renewed the request following the Quarry Road Fire, which began July 10 and had burned 283 acres. As of Wednesday, the fire was reported to be 75% contained.

According to the county, staff met with N.C. Forest Service officials following the wildfire to discuss the burn ban request and additional fire prevention efforts before receiving notice that the request had been denied.

Although the state declined to issue a burn ban, Brunswick County’s local burn ban for unincorporated areas remains in effect.

Under North Carolina law, counties and municipalities may regulate open burning only within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling in their jurisdictions. Burning beyond that distance requires a permit issued by the N.C. Forest Service unless a statewide burn ban is in effect.

Brunswick County’s Fire Marshal issued a local burn ban for unincorporated areas on June 8, and it remains in place. Several municipalities in the county have also enacted local burn bans or maintain ordinances regulating open burning.

As of July 22, Brunswick County was one of eight North Carolina counties classified in Exceptional Drought (D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.