The Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a local open Burn Ban due to extreme fire danger conditions throughout Alexander County, effective Friday, March 21 at 5:00 p.m. The purpose of this burn ban is to protect life and property.
The burn ban will apply to all outside burning that is being conducted within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, including but not limited to fire pits, grills, leaf and yard debris, etc. The burning of any material other than natural vegetation is illegal regardless of burn ban status.
Violators of the local burn ban will be subject to a $50 citation from the Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office for the first offense, which doubles per subsequent offense.
In addition, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning outside of 100 feet, and has canceled all burning permits until further notice.
Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted. Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.
Pursuant to the North Carolina State Fire Prevention Code 2018 Edition (307.1.1 Prohibited Opening Burning), open burning shall be prohibited when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous.
If you have questions regarding the burn ban, please contact the Alexander County Fire Marshal’s office at 828-352-7706.
For NCFS open burning inquiries, contact the Alexander County Ranger at 828-310-8466.