Burn ban lifted across WNC, but dry conditions and higher than normal temps remain
The statewide burn ban enacted by the North Carolina Forest Service was completely lifted Dec. 13 after a sprinkling of weekend rain across the mountain counties, although the month is still drier than normal.
The ban on all open burning was lifted for 33 counties including the WNC counties of Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey.
The ban, which went into effect Nov. 29 due to hazardous forest fire conditions, was lifted for most of the state's 100 counties Dec. 8.
“We saw some much-needed rain during the weekend, and that has thankfully helped bring fire danger down, allowing us to lift burn ban restrictions statewide,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a statement.
“Still, I’d caution residents to remain vigilant about burning responsibly and safely. Make sure you have a valid burn permit and contact your NCFS county ranger for wildfire prevention and fire safety tips.”
Almost winter? Ice skating rinks cool outdoor activity across Western North Carolina, Upstate SC
Burn permits are now available statewide, which can be obtained from any authorized permitting agent or at ncforestservice.gov.
All burn permits granted before the statewide burn ban were canceled when the ban became effective, according to the N.C. Forest Service statement. A valid permit must be obtained.
WNC received a sprinkling of rain over the weekend, mostly concentrated in the western counties, said Andrew Kimball, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Greer, South Carolina.
"Areas having west-facing slopes in the Smoky Mountains and Balsam Mountains got between like between 1 and 2 inches," Kimball said.
"The peaks further to the east and the French Broad Valley including Asheville areas had about half-an-inch or less. The higher peaks from Mount Mitchell up toward Beech Mountain had a half-an-inch of rain last week."
Kimball said Asheville received .26 inches Dec. 11, all the rain that has fallen in December. The normal amount of rainfall for December is 1.63 inches.
“All the rain fell in one day. It didn’t really put a dent in the deficit,” he said.
But while Asheville has below normal rain for the month, for the year rainfall is above normal so far, with 53.84 inches since Jan. 1. The normal is 47.18 inches for the year. He said the bext chance of rain is Dec. 18.
Temperatures are also above normal so far in December. The daily average has been 46.9 degrees, 4 degrees higher than normal, he said.
“Going forward it is supposed to get warmer. By Friday we could have highs near 70. But a front might come through and cool things back to normal by Sunday and Monday.”
News tips? Email Investigations Editor Karen Chávez at KChavez@CitizenTimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC Forest Service lifts burn ban across Western North Carolina
