Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) has banned beach fires until further notice due to dry conditions and an increased fire risk.
In addition to the Seashore’s beach fire ban, the North Carolina Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide.
The Seashore’s beach fire ban will be lifted once conditions improve.
CAHA’s ban follows the statewide open burn ban the N.C. Forest Service issued at 5 p.m. Nov. 29 until further notice.
Open burning includes burning leaves, branches or other plant material. In all cases, burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material is illegal.
Under North Carolina law, the 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.
Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.
Beach fires at Seashore beaches require a free beach fire permit. To learn more about the permit, click here.
Open burning is prohibited in the village of Ocracoke.
