Mitchell County has begun exercising its option to fine violators of a recent and ongoing statewide burn ban, according to a release.
“Beginning today, April 10 at noon, The Mitchell County Fire Marshals office will be imposing fines when called out for burning during the burn ban,” county officials announced Friday. “Fines can be imposed up to $500.”
The burn ban was instituted because of ongoing dry conditions that have increased the risk of wildfire in area forests.
A number of wildfires have already sprung up in this area this spring, including the recent Poplar fire in Mitchell County along the North Carolina-Tennessee state line.
At last week’s meeting of the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners, County Manager Allen Cook noted that wildfire will continue to be a serious danger until the leaves on deciduous trees have fully developed, adding more moisture to the forests.
“Until the greenout occurs, it’s going to be fire season,” Cook said.
The burn ban applies to all open outdoor fires within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. It also applies to things like fireworks and firecrackers.
Grills and smokers, however, are still allowed. The county just asks those who are grilling outdoors to attend their grill at all times and dispose of the ashes safely.
National Forests in North Carolina has been issuing regular updates on the various firefighting efforts going on around the region.
“Yesterday (Sunday) was a quieter day for fire response within the National Forests, with a couple of smoke checks and a tenth of an acre fire that was quickly suppressed,” spokesman Timothy Engrav said in a Monday update. “Fire crews and aircraft remain in place and prepared to respond to any new ignitions. Dry conditions and fire danger remain very high across all of North Carolina.”
As of Monday, the most significant ongoing fire was the Cole Gap Fire near Cashiers. However, that fire is 80 percent contained.