Amid abnormally dry November, Asheville issues burn ban, including fire pits, campfires

Using the backyard fire pit or starting a campfire could result in a hefty fine following a burn ban issued by the city of Asheville Fire Marshal's Office and the N.C. State Forest Service.

According to a news release, the Asheville Fire Department has seen an increase in brush fire-related incidents, stoked by the lack of rain, low humidity and higher wind.

Asheville will close out November with only 0.88 inches of total rainfall, which ranks as its 18th-driest November dating to 1889, or 133 years, according to data from the North Carolina State Climate Office.

An average November sees about 3.72 inches of precipitation, said Rebecca Ward, an assistant state climatologist.

The last November this dry was in 2012, with 0.85 inches of rain.

Asheville Fire Department spokesperson Kelley Klope said the department has responded to six brush/grass fires in the last couple of weeks.

It's a higher number than normal, she said, but not uncommon for this time of year.

Under a burn ban, no open recreational fires are permitted, even on private property — including fire pits, chimeneas or braziers. Use of grills, barbecues and portable gas stoves are still permitted.

Fines range from $100 to $500, said Klope. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.

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The department's notice follows a statewide burn ban that went into effect Nov. 29.

Due to increased fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service banned all open burning and canceled all burning permits in all of the state's 100 counties. This includes campfires anywhere in the state.

The ban will remain in effect until further notice, according to a Nov. 29 news release from the Forest Service.

“It is fall wildfire season in North Carolina, and we are seeing wildfire activity increase due to dry conditions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler in the state release.

“With these ongoing conditions, a statewide burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of fires starting and spreading quickly. Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state.”

While almost half of North Carolina is covered in an ever-expanding drought, Asheville is not yet in the impacted area, said Corey Davis, also an assistant state climatologist with the state climate office.

Rainfall in late summer and early fall kept the area from being classified "in drought," he said, but a dry November is "taking its toll" and some stream levels are beginning to drop across the southern mountains.

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Ward anticipates a dry winter, with the drought continuing to creep west.

She cautioned Asheville residents to be aware of what's going on — and check for any burn bans in place before lighting a fall campfire in the backyard.

“It’s not that there’s no end in sight," Ward said, "but it doesn’t look like it’s going to end immediately.”

In a Nov. 30 blog post, Davis said North Carolina is suffering the worst fall fire season in the last five years.

He cited two high profile wildfires — a wildfire in early November that burned 40 acres on Sauratown Mountain in Stokes County and an even larger blaze started Nov. 27 on Pilot Mountain in Surry County.

It has burned more than 500 acres at Pilot Mountain State Park and could eventually cover more than 900 acres, according to the N.C. Forest Service.

Under North Carolina law, the current ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted.

Open burning includes burning leaves, branches or other plant material. In all cases, burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other non-vegetative material is illegal.

Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Increased fire risk prompts Asheville burn ban