Fall has arrived and that means the arrival of the fall wildfire season. The US Forest Service and N.C. Forest Service remind the public to exercise caution when engaging in recreational burning.
Peak months for the fall fire season are from October through early December. Escaped fires due to careless backyard burning continue to be the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina. Fires left unattended can get out of hand quickly, becoming wildfires that may threaten lives and property. For fiscal year 2021-2022 there were 6,887 wildfires that burned 26,958 acres in North Carolina. Only 1% of those wildfires were directly linked to a natural ignition source such as lightning. The other 99% of wildfires were directly related to human activity. Some of the state’s most intense wildfires during the fall of 2021 were caused by escaped campfires.
In November 2021, the Sauratown Mountain Fire in Stokes County burned more than 40 acres but required 16 days to control and fully contain due to the steep and difficult terrain. Shortly after on Nov. 27, 2021, the Grindstone Fire, the largest wildfire during North Carolina’s 2021 fall wildfire season, ignited at Pilot Mountain State Park in Surry County and eventually burned 1,050 acres. Both incidents were caused by escaped campfires. For more information on proper fire safety call the National Forests in North Carolina at 828-257-4200.
Last week was National Fire Prevention Week where local fire departments reminded people to replace the batteries in their smoke detectors and to inspect fireplaces, wood stoves, chimneys and flues for damage or blockages.
