Dangerous Wildfire Conditions Persist In The High Country

Officials with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources and officers with the Blowing Rock Fire Department are discouraging people from burning yard vegetation because dry, windy conditions have increased the potential for dangerous wildfires.
The alert was issued based on weather conditions provided by the National Weather Service. Those predictions have prompted the fire service to issue a red flag warning in 21 counties of Western North Carolina.
“This is a serious concern for us this time of year,” said Blowing Rock Fire Chief Dennis Bolick. “Winds, dry condition and the desire of fire district property owners to clean up from winter accumulations of leaves, limbs and other yard debris make for a dangerous formula for a serious fire.”
The red flag warning means that conditions are ripe for dangerous wildfires.
“We are urging people to postpone any outdoor burning,” said Chief Bolick. “We need much lower wind conditions and a good soaking rain before people should even think about burning.”
A great part of that consern is for areas outside the city limits of Blowing Rock, where limited regulations impact outdoor burning. In town ordinances and other laws limit and prohibit outdoor fires.
Last week Blowing Rock fire firefighters were called out on several occasions to put out fires left unattended. In at least two of the incidents, high winds would have sent sparks and embers into the forest where a large wildfire could not only destroy a lot of woodlands, but also a number of homes.
“A fire can get out of control so quickly, and if its dry and windy, fire can race up a mountainside fed by leaves, limbs and downed trees from last fall and this winter,” officials said. “The number one cause of wildfires in the mountains this time of year is when brush fires escape - either by homeowners burning brush, or land being cleared for construction. Dry conditions and wind can result in great tragedy should a fire get out of control.”
While conditions in the High Country have led to dangersous fire conditions, across North Carolina the story is basically the same. The entire state is experiencing above average wildfire activity because of the dry, windy conditions. The state has seen 871 wildfires that have burned 2,653 acres so far in 2007.
Blowing Rock Fire Department officials remind residents in the fire district that a permit is required for all outdoor burning, burning is restricted within the city limits, all fires must be attended at all times, and people are responsible for all fires and the damage that results as a result of that fire.