10 October 2019

Published by https://www.citizen-times.com/

USA – Even though it’s finally started to rain in spits and starts in Western North Carolina, the U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Forest Service aren’t taking any chances.

With 2016 still very fresh in land managers’ minds — when the worst wildfires in WNC history swept across the mountains — and the western region still mostly in a drought, the agencies have brought in additional firefighting resources from across the country to be at the ready, said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Cathy Dowd.

“We bring in resources in advance when there are indications that the risk of wildfire is high. The last time this was done was in the spring of 2017,” she said. “We also order resources in advance of hurricanes so that we have sawyers ready to clear downed trees from roads.”

She said there are no wildfires now on federal land, but the agency is monitoring conditions daily.

“We don’t have a campfire ban in place but if counties or the state decided to have a fire ban, then we would look at supporting that, too. But it’s a good time to remind people to be careful with fire when burning debris or campfires,” she said.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has ordered a campfire ban at all backcountry sites.

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Additional resources the Forest Service has brought in include helicopters and aerial support, additional engines and multiple 10-person suppression teams from states including Arizona, Washington, Idaho, Montana, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. They are stationed throughout WNC.

When an interagency hotshot crew arrives Oct. 11 from California, there will be a total of 65 personnel, Dowd said, including a “fire prevention module,” a group of five people patrolling the forest, making contacts with visitors to make sure they’re being safe and not leaving abandoned campfires.

According to the National Drought Monitor, all of WNC is in some form of drought.

More on WNC’s drought: Buncombe, WNC in drought for first time in more than two years

Recent rain had no drought impact

Jake Wimberly, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, based in Greer, South Carolina, said the recent driblets of rain this week have made “essentially no impact” on the drought situation.

So far in October, the Asheville area has received 0.67 inches of rain, most of which fell Oct. 8, Wimberly said.

“It’s going to take a lot more rain to change the drought status. The amount of rain we’ve gotten is insignificant with respect to drought. It’s been so long since it’s rained that the top layers of soil are extremely dry,” he said.

The normal amount of rainfall through Oct. 8 in Asheville is 0.82 inches, he said. But the damage was done in September, when the Asheville area had only 0.90 inches of rain, nearly 3 inches below the normal monthly total of 3.81 inches. It was the fifth driest September on record, Wimberly said.

This is not only affecting the typically vibrant WNC fall foliage — usually at peak by now in the higher elevations — but is also a real threat for fire danger.

More on fall foliage: Will WNC ever see peak fall foliage this year?

Think before starting a fire

In addition to mobilizing extra “troops” for expected wildfires, the U.S. Forest Service, which manages the state’s four national forests, including the Nantahala and the Pisgah in WNC, and the N.C. Forest Service, which oversees state-owned land such as DuPont and Headwaters state forests, are urging people to be cautious with campfires and when burning yard debris.

The fall wildfire season typically lasts from mid-October until mid-December, the time of year when people do a lot of yard work that may include burning leaves and yard debris.

According to the N.C. Forest Service, the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina is debris burning. When left unattended, debris fires can escape and start wildfires. Despite the more than 1 million acres of publicly owned forest, most forests in WNC are privately owned.

“We will not forget the 2016 fall wildfire season that burned more than 59,511 acres across North Carolina,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a statement.

“As we head into this fall fire season facing similarly dry weather conditions, let’s remember that each of us can do our part to avoid to prevent wildfires. It is important to exercise extreme caution while burning debris of any kind.”

The N.C. Forest Service encourages residents to contact their local county forest ranger before burning debris. The ranger can offer technical advice and explain the best options for keeping people, property and the forest safe. To find local county rangers, visit ncforestservice.gov/contacts.

Debris burning tips

If you must burn debris, follow these tips from the N.C. Forest Service:

  • Consider alternatives to burning. Some types of debris, such as leaves, grass and stubble, may be of more value if they are not burned, but used for mulch instead.
  • Check local burning laws. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours. Others forbid it entirely. Open burning is not allowed in the city of Asheville.
  • Have a valid permit. Obtain one at any N.C. Forest Service office or authorized permitting agent, or online at ncforestservice.gov/burnpermit.
  • Keep an eye on the weather. Don’t burn on dry, windy days.
  • Burn safely. Don’t pile vegetation on the ground. Instead, place it in a cleared area and contain it in a screened receptacle away from overhead branches and wires.
  • Household trash should be hauled away to a trash or recycling station. It is illegal to burn anything other than yard debris.
  • Be fully prepared before burning. To control the fire, have a hose, bucket, steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire. Keep a phone nearby, too.
  • Never use kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel or other flammable liquids to speed up debris burning.
  • Stay with your fire until it is completely out.
  • Burning agricultural residue and forestland litter: A fire line should be plowed around the area to be burned. Large fields should be separated into small plots for burning one at a time. Contact your county ranger before burning in wooded areas.

Campfire safety tips

The U.S. Forest Service also reminds campers to be cautious when burning campfires. Use existing fire rings if possible and clear a safe area around them of at least 15 feet. Never leave campfires unattended, and ensure they are completely out before leaving.

Following are guidelines for safely extinguishing campfires and helping to prevent wildfires:

  • Allow the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible.
  • Pour lots of water on the fire, drown all embers, not just the red ones, until the hissing sound stops.
  • Stir campfire ashes and embers with a shovel.
  • Scrape the sticks and logs to remove any embers.
  • Stir and make sure everything is wet and that embers are cold to the touch.
  • If you do not have water, pour dirt or sand on the fire, mixing enough with the embers to extinguish the fire.
  • Do not bury the fire since it will continue to smolder and could catch roots on fire that will eventually get to the surface and start a wildfire.
  • Always exercise caution with any outdoor burning. Even when burn bans are not in effect, weather conditions may not be favorable for outdoor fires.

Learn more

For more on fire safety and preventing wildfires and loss of property, visit ncforestservice.gov and smokeythebear.com.

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