Local News - March 2003

Residents urged to get permits for burning debris

Fire season begins

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

March 12, 2003 - Rickey Parsley did everything right to burn debris: he obtained a permit, kept a water hose nearby and supervised the fire in his backyard.

But in the end, he still had to call the fire department.

Gusty winds probably caused the burn to get out of control Tuesday, said County Ranger Elizabeth Snyder.

“I think it (the wind) probably just carried something up there,” she said, pointing into the wooded area in Parsley’s Mission Drive backyard, “and that got it started.”

Firefighters from Pumpkin Center Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fire, which had spread to a nearby tree.

They had no trouble putting it out.

Since Parsley followed the directions for burning debris to a tee, Snyder said, it shows just how easy it is for a small blaze to get out of hand.

Parsley attempted to put out the fire himself, but his hoses malfunctioned.

“When I saw it over there, and my hoses kept blowing apart, I called (911),” Parsley said.

Recent wet weather can give the impression that fires can’t spread, Snyder said.

“As wet as it seems, if you kick around the leaves, you’ll see how crunchy it is,” she said.

It’s important to realize a fire can start at any time. Residents should take the proper precautions to prevent burns from spreading.

Snyder said this time of year is the beginning of the fire season.

Three factors contribute to the growing number of blazes, she said: a drop in humidity, warmer weather and gusty winds.

Those conditions cause surface fuels to dry out, she said.

The first thing to do if you plan on burning a pile of debris is to obtain a burning permit, Snyder said.

Permits are free and are available at 15 locations in Lincoln County:

·  Halfway Supply Hardware, N.C. 18 and 10

·  Hull’s 66, N.C. 27 and 274

·  Bob’s Superette, N.C. 27 West

·  Saine Ace Hardware, N.C. 27 West

·  Carolina Hardware, Reepsville Road

·  N.C. Forest Service, 127 Congress St.

·  Lincolnton Fire Department, Sycamore Street

·  Duck’s Hardware, N.C. 150, Crouse

·  SS&W Dairy, Summerow Road

·  Rincks Grocery, Springs East Road

·  Abernathy Texaco, N.C. 150 East

·  Iron Station Country Store, N.C. 27 East

·  Lee Killian, N.C. 16 North

·  East Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department, N.C. 73 East

·  Fire Marshal’s Office, Academy Street

Residents can also go to the N.C. Division of Forest Resource’s Web site at www.dfr.state.nc.us to obtain a permit.

Between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight, permits aren’t required, but Snyder urges residents to get one anyway. That way they’ll be notified if a burning ban is put into effect.

The number of permits issued this year was not available, but Synder said there has been a tremendous increase compared to previous years. In 2001, there were 1794 permits obtained, in 2002 there were 1923.

Large amounts of debris left over from December’s ice storm are causing residents to burn more, Snyder said.

“It’s just another effect of the ice storm,” Snyder said.

For safe burning, be aware of what the wind is doing and have a water source available nearby, Snyder said. Stay with the fire until it is out, and remember that just because there are no flames does not mean it has been extinguished.

Air Quality regulations require fires to be at least 250 feet from roads, Snyder said.

And most importantly, don’t be afraid to call 911 if things get out of hand.

“Don’t hesitate to call,” Snyder said. “Call the fire department first, then worry about fighting the fire.”

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Staff Writer Alice Smith can be reached at 704-735-3031 or alicesmith@ltnews.com

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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