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a good idea
Common sense should tell most people that burning anything outside during the current drought isn’t a good idea.
But because common sense sometimes goes lacking, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a burning ban for District 8, which includes Columbus County.
Columbus County Forest Service workers have been in Pender County during the past week helping put out large fires.
Columbus County, like Pender County, is particularly susceptible to major fires because of its large tracts of timber.
Forest fires are bad in and of themselves because a fire can ruin acres of trees – trees that many people rely on for income.
But forest fires are an entirely different matter when they threaten homes, businesses and lives. It could happen here if conditions continue to deteriorate. No rain and moderate to high winds are expected through the weekend with no relief in sight.
Firefighters and Forest Service workers were already fighting two woods fires in Columbus County this morning. Obviously, these fires weren’t the result of natural origins.
We urge people to observe the outdoor burning ban. The Forest Service said it has stopped issuing warning tickets and that citations with fines will be issued now.
Yet, common sense should be the compelling reason to keep that match in its box. With conditions like they are now, even the innocent burning of yard waste could turn into something very serious.