Gary L Herman
December 8, 2021 — The statewide burn ban, which went into effect on November 29 due to hazardous forest fire conditions, continues in 33 counties, including Alexander County. Any fire outside 100 feet from a structure falls under the statewide burn ban. In addition, the Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office issued a burn ban that prohibits any fire within 100 feet of a structure.
The N.C. Forest Service has lifted a ban on all open burning as of 12:00 noon on Wednesday, December 8, for the following counties in North Carolina: Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Cabarrus, Camden, Carteret, Catawba, Chatham, Cherokee, Chowan, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Macon, Martin, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Swain, Tyrell, Union, Wake, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wilson.
“The rainfall we are seeing across much of the state right now is doing what we need it to do,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Forest fuels are soaking it in, and conditions are improving.”
“Residents in the 67 counties no longer under the state’s burn ban should still burn responsibly, check for local burning restrictions, and make sure you have a valid permit,” Troxler said. “Check the weather, and never leave a debris fire unattended. If you’re in one of the 33 counties still under the state’s burn ban, please be patient and hold off on burning.”
Residents with questions regarding their specific county can contact their N.C. Forest Service county ranger or their county fire marshal’s office. You may contact County Ranger David Huffman at 828-632-5810 or alexander.ncfs@ncagr.gov or Alexander County Fire Marshal Mark Earle at 828-632-9336 or mearle@alexandercountync.gov.