RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) -- The North Carolina Forest Service expects high fire danger this week, despite parts of North Carolina picking up precipitation after the winter storm Friday.
It seems counterintuitive: snow and ice melting will give our ground moisture which should decrease our risk of fires, but the Forest Service says that's not the entire story.
Not everyone across the state picked up decent precipitation from the winter storm, so if the snow or ice has already melted away that top layer of ground is now exposed to cold, dry air.
That top layer of ground, especially in and around forested areas, is often covered with something called "one-hour fuels" this time of year -- leaves, branches, and pine needles that can dry out quickly with a cold dry wind.
Philip Jackson with the North Carolina Forest Service says after winter weather we can get lulled into a false sense of security, but it may not take much for one fire to become something worse.
"The potential for those to get out and be something much bigger is there, something more dangerous, more catastrophic, the risk is there, the potential is there, which is why we're stressing this message," he explains.
Jackson added that "99% of fires are human-caused, which means 99% of our fires are avoidable."
Jackson said just last week the Forest Service responded to 53 small wildfires, all of which were caused by humans. North Carolina also typically ranks in the top five states for number of wildfires.
The North Carolina Forest Service reminds everyone that you need a burn permit before you start burning, which you can get easily here at the North Carolina Forest Service.
After you obtain that burn permit, here are the best ways to prevent wildfires, according to the Forest Service:
- Pay attention to the weather: don't burn when it's dry and windy
- Have tools on hand like a rake and shovel to help smother the fire
- Have a source of water close, like a hose or a bucket
- Never leave a fire unattended, and stay with it until it's completely out (and cold)
- Keep your phone with you, so you can call 911 if a fire gets out of control
For more wildfire safety tips, click here N.C. Forest Service - Fire Safety Outdoors | NC Agriculture
