Burn Ban Lifted in WNC Officials Urge Caution as Wildfire Season Continues

WNC --  The USDA Forest Service is lifting fire restrictions across the four National Forests in North Carolina effective Wednesday, April 2, at 8 a.m., coinciding with the end of the statewide burn ban.

Widespread rainfall over the past 48 hours reduced the overall fire danger across much of the state. The improved weather conditions also helped firefighters currently battling multiple fires in Western North Carolina, including the Rattlesnake Branch Fire on the Pisgah National Forest.

Forest visitors will be able to once again build campfires and use camp stoves and fire rings. However, several areas will continue experience warmer and windy weather in the days ahead, so it’s important to exercise extreme caution when burning outdoors.

Some important campfire tips to remember:
- Make sure your campfire is a safe distance from your tent or anything that can ignite unexpectedly.
- Use rocks to create a fire ring in the center of a large, cleared area.
- Use the Drown-Stir-Drown-Feel method to put out your campfire safely.

While the statewide fire restriction on National Forest lands has lifted, the restrictions on all open burning in the area of Roan Mountain remains in effect because of heightened wildfire risks following Hurricane Helene.

WNCTimes

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