Special to Iredell Free News

The City of Statesville on Wednesday announced an immediate ban on all outdoor open burning, including any activities within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling.

This ban applies to all open burning activities, regardless of whether a permit has been issued. This includes “Recreational Fires, Portable Outdoor Fireplaces, and Outdoor Fire Pits.”

The decision to implement this local ban is driven by the concern for fire safety due to the current atmospheric conditions and local circumstances that pose a significant fire hazard. The City of Statesville is taking this precaution to prevent potential fires that could arise from extremely dry weather conditions within our city limits.

This local ban aligns with the burning ban issued on November 8 by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This agency has requested cooperation from local officials to extend the ban within their respective jurisdictions. Due to the increased fire risk, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and N.C. Forest Service have imposed a statewide ban on all open burning and have cancelled all burning permits for 30 Western North Carolina counties. No new burning permits will be issued at this time.

The burning ban will remain in effect for the City of Statesville until further notice. Local fire departments and law enforcement agencies are working in collaboration with the N.C. Forest Service to enforce this ban. Violations may result in monetary fines and court costs.

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If you have any questions or require more information about the local burning ban, contact the City of Statesville Fire Department at 704-878-3425.

For additional information about the North Carolina Forest Service’s regional open burning ban, visit www.ncforestservice.gov and click on the News page.