Widespread burn bans now in effect
The North Carolina Forest Service has issued a burn ban for 25 Western North Carolina Counties, effective immediately and until further notice.
The ban prohibits open burning, even for those with permits; additionally, no new permits will be issued for affected counties, including Alexander, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey.
Haywood County has issued a ban of its own as well. All open burning is now prohibited in the entire county, including within the towns of Canton, Clyde, Maggie Valley and Waynesville.
According to a press release issued by the county Nov. 7, low humidity and the ongoing drought have conspired to create a very dangerous situation – fires can burn longer, spread faster, and could cause “large property loss” in the event one becomes uncontained.
For more information on Haywood County’s ban, contact Dona J. Stewart, Haywood County public affairs officer, at 828.356.2622. To learn more about the N.C. Forest Service ban, visit www.ncforestservice.gov.
