Sunset Beach Fire Chief talks about controlled burn concerns
SUNSET BEACH, N.C. (WWAY) — The Sunset Beach Fire Chief is addressing concerns from community members about smoke from a controlled burn.
In a Facebook post, Chief Richard Childres says smoke originating from a controlled burn that was ignited Tuesday afternoon (August 12) near Angels Trace Road has led quite a few people to reach out wish concerns.
Childres says the property where the burn is occurring is located within the town’s Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction, where the town has certain planning and zoning authority, but local town ordinances governing activities like controlled burns do not directly apply within the ETJ.
While the Town of Sunset Beach was not notified by the contractor prior to ignition, it has been confirmed that the contractor did apply for and was granted a North Carolina Forest Service Burn Permit,” Childres wrote, adding, “The N.C. Forest Service is the permitting authority for this activity.”
Childres says residents are asked to refrain from calling 911 with complaints related to smoke odor for this specific controlled burn because those calls can quickly tie up emergency lines, potentially delaying responses to critical situations.
For complaints or questions regarding the controlled burn operation itself (e.g., timing, scope, regulations):
N.C. Forest Service Brunswick County Office:
Phone: 910-755-7772
Email: Brunswick.ncfs@ncagr.gov
For concerns about air quality resulting from the smoke:
N.C. Division of Air Quality Wilmington Regional Office:
Phone: 910-796-7215
Email: brad.newland@deq.nc.gov
