Special to Iredell Free News

The City of Statesville has issued a burning ban prohibiting all outdoor open burning, including within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling.

The ban, which took effect Wednesday, applies to all open burning regardless of the issuance of a permit, including recreational fires, portable outdoor fireplaces, and outdoor fire pits.

The open burning was issued under the authority of North Carolina Fire Code, Chapter 3, Section 307, which states outdoor burning “shall be prohibited when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous.” The ban aims to prevent the potential for increased fire hazards due to extremely dry weather conditions in the ity limits of Statesville.

This local ban follows the Statewide Burn Ban issued November 29 by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and their request for cooperation from local officials to extend the ban within their jurisdictions. Because of increased fire risk, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and canceled all burning permits for all 100 North Carolina counties. This ban suspends the issuance of new burning permits.

The ban will remain in effect until further notice. Local fire departments and law enforcement are assisting N.C. Forest Service with enforcing the ban, which can carry a monetary fine, plus court costs, for any violations.

Questions concerning the local ban can be directed to the Statesville Fire Department by calling (704) 878-3425. For more information about the North Carolina Forest Service’s regional open burning ban, visit North Carolina Forest Service at ncforestservice.gov and click on the News page.