To help reduce the risk of wildfire, the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources offers burning assistance by either burning for a fee or assisting landowners wanting to do their own burns. Landowners can learn to use controlled fires safely to remove unwanted underbrush and enhance wildlife habitat.

Controlled burning improves wildlife habitat by favoring succulent browse and small seeded plants. As acorn and other mast become scarce in the spring, deer depend on succulent sprouts to carry them until spring regrowth. Many birds depend on small seeded plants. Openings created by fire also enable small quail and other birds to bug in the spring. This bugging provides protein necessary for survival.

Controlled fire also reduces some forest diseases, improves harvesting efficiency, enhances the appearance of a timber stand before and after harvest, improves recreational opportunities, and helps encourage pine regeneration. Fire is critical in the re-establishment of longleaf pine. Fire controls competition and removes diseased needles on young fire resistant seedlings. Loblolly pine seedlings, however are not fire resistant. While fire kills most thin barked hardwoods to the ground surface, enough remain to provide a well rounded stand. Ashes also provide a source of nutrients readily available to plants.

When the landowner does the actual burning, the Forest Service provides a burning permit, training and support. There is a fee for fire line plowing which needs to be done in the summer. At no charge, the Division will provide a written burning plan and notify the landowner when weather conditions are safe for burning and smoke dispersion. Proper smoke dispersion and monitoring the amount of smoke in the atmosphere ensure good air quality. The Division will also do the burning for a fee if the landowner so desires.

Landowners are encouraged to do their own burning. There are just a few days in the December through March window to burn. The Division of Forestry can't always get every tract burned.

Homeowners in wooded settings also need to control vegetation to reduce fire danger. Keep debris out of gutters and off roofs. Keep bushes away from wood siding or decks. Leave a gap between mulch and the house foundation. Maintain green grass strips between woods and the house. Keep enough garden hose to keep all sides of the house covered. Create horizontal breaks in vegetation to keep fire from "stair stepping" from the ground into the crowns of large trees. Use fire resistant shingles.

Contact your local Forest Service County Ranger, the Wildlife Resources Commission or your local Extension Center for more information.

Revised 2/16/2006.