A statewide burn ban will continue until there is significant rainfall across North Carolina to minimize the current conditions, Halifax County Ranger Jim Short said.

While rain is forecast to begin next Wednesday in Halifax County, Short, of the North Carolina Forest Service, said the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, which enacted the ban Monday, is looking at rainfall statewide and not just locally. “It depends on it across the whole state.”

Since the ban went into effect, Short said the county forest service has not had to contend with any significant fires. “It started to pick up with some small fires but not since the ban was enacted.”

Short said in addition to the statewide ban, Halifax County Fire Marshal Roland Tellier issued a county ban which covers within 100 feet of occupied dwellings which the state ban does not.

The ban nullifies all active burning permits and prohibits campfires and fireworks.

“It is fall wildfire season in North Carolina, and we are seeing wildfire activity increase due to dry conditions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With these ongoing conditions, a statewide burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of fires starting and spreading quickly. Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state.”

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.

Local fire departments and law enforcement officers are assisting the North Carolina Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban.

The North Carolina Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions.