Burn Ban Issued for Cumberland County and all of NC

The NC Department of agriculture has issued a burn ban in the full state, including Cumberland County.

Cumberland County Fire Marshal Kevin Lowther has implemented the ban effective immediately, for all fires and burn permits in the area until further notice. The ban DOES apply "to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling," a County release said.

“Emergency Services made this decision based on our rating for fire danger and how dry the weather has been,” Lowther said. “Cumberland County currently is at a moderate risk, and it is extremely important to refrain from all open burning as we are experiencing such dry weather.”

“It is fall wildfire season in North Carolina, and we are seeing wildfire activity increase due to dry conditions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With these ongoing conditions, a statewide burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of fires starting and spreading quickly. Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state.”

According to the NC Forest Service, "Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted. Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.

Open burning includes burning leaves, branches or other plant material. In all cases, burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material is illegal.