Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Renee Floffman
Date: March 5, 2007 Phone:
919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY URGES NORTH CAROLINIANS TO AVOID OUTDOOR BURNING
Weather Service Issues ‘Explosive Fire Growth ’ Warning for Eastern Two-Thirds of the State
RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today warned North Carolinians to avoid burning yard debris and other outside
fires because dry, windy conditions have heightened the likelihood of wildfires. The National Weather Service
and the state Division of Forest Resources issued a “red flag” warning for dangerous fires in 60 counties from
the coast to the western Piedmont. A “red flag” warning means high winds, dry air and warm temperatures
create the potential for explosive wildfires.
“While certain types of open burning are legal in North Carolina, people should avoid any outdoor burning
during these dry and windy conditions,” said Easley. “High winds can send a small fire out of control quickly,
putting people and homes and forests in great danger.”
Debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina, resulting in 41 percent of the state’s
wildfires in the last decade, according to the state Division of Forest Resources. That trend has continued this
year as many people have continued to conduct open burning despite the dry and windy weather. In recent
days, outdoor burning sparked numerous fires, including a fire in Hoke County that burned six homes and 160
acres and another blaze in McDowell County that burned 700 acres. A fire in a Raleigh townhome complex last
month spread rapidly because of high winds, leaving several families homeless.
North Carolina is already experiencing above average wildfire activity this year with more than 1 , 100 wildfires
burning more than 4,300 acres. Dry and windy weather conditions have sparked the early arrival of the spring
fire season which runs through May, the busiest time for wildfires.
To help reduce the potential for wildfires, the state Division of Forest Resources recommends:
• Avoiding all outdoors burning of yard debris and trash.
• Do not burn on windy days.
• Always use an ashtray. Do not toss lit cigarettes or other burning items from vehicles.
• Never leave a campfire unattended and drown the fire with water and cover with sand or soil.
The “red flag” warning was issued for counties in North Carolina where the winds are above 20 mph and the
relative humidity is 25 percent or lower, including : Alamance, Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Carteret,
Caswell, Chatham, Chowan, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Davidson, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe,
Forsyth, Franklin, Gates, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones,
Lee, Lenoir, Martin, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Person,
Pitt, Randolph, Richmond, Rockingham, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Tyrrell, Vance, Wake,
Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wilson, Wilkes and Yadkin.
For more information, contact the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources at
919/715-7357
or
go to www.dfr.state.nc.us. ###
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166