With spring wildfire season approaching and much of North Carolina experiencing moderate to severe drought, the N.C. Forest Service is asking residents to use caution with outdoor fires, particularly when burning yard debris.
“With the recent rainfall combined with multiple winter storms earlier this year, some folks may not realize that most of North Carolina is still experiencing very dry conditions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Our state’s gradual descent into drought and prolonged dry conditions means wildfires can ignite more easily, burn more intensely and spread quicker. The best defense against wildfires will always be to prevent them from starting.”
Escaped yard debris burns remain the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina, accounting for nearly half of all incidents. Human activity is responsible for 99% of wildfires in the state. As spring weather encourages outdoor activities, many people choose burning as a way to dispose of leaves and limbs.
“A fire can escape in a matter of seconds, especially on warm days when winds are gusty,” Troxler added. “This means you never leave a fire unattended until it is completely out and cold.”
Other causes include machinery use, vehicles dragging tow chains, arson, and escaped campfires. Counties in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene are especially at risk due to damaged forests contributing additional fuel.
The N.C. Forest Service recommends several steps before starting an outdoor fire: check local burning laws; obtain a valid permit either online or at an office; avoid burning on dry or windy days; prepare equipment such as hoses and shovels; never use flammable liquids like gasoline or kerosene; stay with your fire until it is cold; and follow similar precautions for campfires and grills.
Residents are also reminded not to fly drones near wildfires because they pose risks to firefighting aircraft operating at low altitudes.
Smoke from wildfires can impact health—especially for children, older adults, active individuals, or those with heart or lung conditions such as asthma. The public should monitor air quality using resources like www.ncair.org, https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/, and www.airnow.gov.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services manages forest resources through specialized divisions including the NC Forest Service (official website). The department works to enhance quality of life via forest management initiatives while supporting community farming practices (official website). Agriculture contributes $102 billion annually to the state’s economy (official website), making these preventive efforts significant for both safety and economic reasons.
Steve Troxler has served as commissioner leading these initiatives (official website).
For more information about wildfire prevention and preparation visit www.preventwildfirenc.org.
