As I was traveling back from Charlotte last week, I could scan the horizon and see several columns of smoke rising into the sky. Some columns were rather small. Other columns were massive, with an angry black appearance that seemed to warn everyone within sight of danger and destruction.

These columns of smoke were signs of wildfires. It was an indication that the time of the year is approaching when wildfires historically destroy thousands of acres of woodlands. Wildfires often explode beyond the boundaries of the forests to destroy homes, farm buildings, and other valuable possessions.

Starting this week, the N.C. Division of Forest Resources is discouraging people from outdoor burning. Weather officials have issued warnings about dangerous fire conditions for almost all of North Carolina.

This past Thursday, the National Weather Service issued red flag warnings or wind advisories for all of North Carolina except a few southwestern counties. Red flag warnings mean that strong winds, dry air, and warm temperatures have created a high probability for wildfires. Wind warnings often accompany red flag warnings, because sustained winds between 30 mph and 45 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph often happen in some places.

Forestry officials are discouraging people from outdoor burning due to those windy, dry conditions. Careless burning of leaves, twigs, and other outdoor debris remains the No. 1 cause of wildfires in North Carolina.

Drought and abnormally dry weather for the past several years have spread statewide. Forest fuels, such as downed trees, have become extremely dry - creating conditions that could prove dangerous for outdoor burning during the next few months.

Historically, North Carolina's busiest fire season starts in March and ends in June. This is the time of the year when people decide to burn yard debris that accumulated during the winter. So far this year, there have been more than 617 wildfires across the state that have burned more than 1,354 acres.

In an average year, over 5,000 wildfires burn about 21,200 acres across the state. This is about one out of every 800 acres of the state's woodlands. Although the severity of the fire season this year will depend upon actual weather conditions, the potential for a severe season appears to be very high.

North Carolina's primary defense against forest fires is the Division of Forest Resources, also known as the N.C. Forest Service. County rangers work with seasonal help, part-time wardens, fire department volunteers, and forest industry personnel to detect and control forest fires. They also conduct educational programs and demonstrations and control burning permits.

County Ranger Adlia Strickland is responsible for issuing burning permits in Robeson County. The permits not only let fire control personnel know where to expect fires, they also allow the Division of Forest Resources personnel to give information on weather, procedures, and risks to anyone planning to burn outdoor debris. The Forest Service is forced to cancel burning permits whenever extreme wildfire or poor smoke dispersion conditions develop.

Education, caution, and compliance with the permit system are tremendous help in controlling forest fires. Although natural occurrences cause some wildfires, people cause the vast majority of them. Loss of control while burning debris, for example, causes about one-third of all fires. Arsonists and smokers are the next largest causes. Lightning causes a number of fires, but in most years, more wildfires are caused by electric fences.

Landowners are encouraged to write the phone number of the county forest ranger as well as the phone number of the community volunteer fire department in the front of your phone book. Forestlands, especially pine stands, should be "fire-proofed" by installing fire lines and by conducting prescribed burns when conditions allow.

Anyone observing a wildfire or uncontrolled fire should call the local fire department or 911 just as soon as possible. Be prepared to give the location of the fire including road names, road numbers, and distances from popular landmarks if possible.

If you must burn debris outdoors, please get a burning permit first. Burning gets risky when relative humidity is less than 30 percent and when winds exceed 10 miles per hour, so please check weather conditions and forecasts before lighting a match.

It is usually best to burn in the afternoon when the wind is dying down and humidity is increasing. When burning a field, disk a couple of passes around the border. Start the fire downwind, and let it burn into the wind.

Whenever possible, keep fires small at first, then add fuel gradually. Always have adequate tools and help available.

When Smoky Bear asks you to help prevent forest fires, he is talking about wildfires. Fire is a good forest management tool to prevent the accumulation of debris from under valuable trees.

Wildfires are dangerous. Please do what you can to prevent them.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 06/08/09