SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the burn ban that went into effect Nov. 29 in 100 counties across the state has been lifted for at least 67 counties.
Included are Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender, which experienced rainfall on Wednesday to help ease dangerous dry conditions. The region was falling under abnormally low and moderate drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor and hadn’t experienced a November as dry since 2007.
“Forest fuels are soaking it in and conditions are improving,” said Steve Troxler, the agriculture commissioner.
Burn permits were suspended as well but have opened again to include the safe burn of leaves, branches or other plant materials. It is illegal to burn trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material.
The burn ban that went into effect statewide does not include bans within 100 feet of occupied dwellings, which will be lifted by individual counties, cities and towns. So far in the tri-county region, the Town of Leland, unincorporated areas of New Hanover and Pender counties announced lifts as well.
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