Due to increased fire risk, the City of Lenoir Fire Marshal has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits within the City of Lenoir and its jurisdiction effective at 5:00 pm today, Nov. 7, 2023.
The burn ban will remain in effect until further notice.
The burn ban is issued under the authority of North Carolina Fire Code, Chapter 3, Section 307, which states outdoor burning “shall be prohibited when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous.”
"Our top priority is always to protect lives and property inside our jurisdiction," City of Lenoir Fire Marshall Chris Jacobs said. "The conditions in Lenoir and much of western North Carolina are very dry, and we ask all our citizens to abide by the ban and help protect the community."
The burn ban applies to all open burning regardless of issuance of permit, including recreational fires, portable outdoor fireplaces, and outdoor fire pits. The purpose of the ban is to prevent increased fire hazards, due to extremely dry weather conditions in the City of Lenoir.
This ban includes all fires within 100 feet of occupied dwellings. Any fire outside this area falls under North Carolina Forest Service jurisdiction and their burning ban, if instituted, and will fall under their authority.
Anyone violating this burn ban faces a minimum $50 fine and may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishment of the fire. Violators may also fall under the N.C. Forest Service authority.
The Caldwell County Fire Marshal also issued a burn ban effective at 5:00 pm today as well. Click the following link to read the County news release, www.caldwellcountync.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=111.
The North Carolina Forest Service issued a burn ban on Nov. 7 that affects 14 counties in western North Carolina, including Burke County. Click the following link for more information on the NC Forest Service news release, www.ncforestservice.gov/news_pubs/newsdesk_2023.htm#11052023b.
What you can do to help
Here are some actions you can take to help prevent the start of fires:
- Create at least 30 feet of defensible, clean and green, space around your home.
- Clear trash and dead vegetation from your front and backyards.
- Remove leaves and debris from roof and gutters.
- Use extreme caution when grilling.
- Properly discard cigarettes and fireplace ashes.
- Keep vehicles off dry grass.
- Practice vehicle safety.
- Check tires, bearings, and axles on trailers and secure trailer chains.
- Call 9-1-1 if you see smoke or fire in your area.