Wildfire Danger Reaching High Level Here

The lack of significant rain over the last few weeks, coupled with windy conditions, has left the area highly susceptible to wildfires, especially during the next few days, according to the NC Forestry Service.

Fire officials throughout Johnston County have been alerted, and residents are being asked to take extra precautions during the coming days.

Forestry officials said that under present conditions, any fires will likely burn hotter and pose more of a danger than under normal conditions. The National Weather Service is predicting warm, breezy winds coupled with dry conditions. Those conditions have created high probability for wildfires.

Officials say careless burning of leaves, twigs and other outdoor debris is the No. 1 cause of wildfires in North Carolina.

Weather in recent weeks has dried downed trees and created conditions that could be dangerous for outdoor burning. Historically, North Carolina’s busiest fire season starts in March and ends in June – a time when many people decide to burn yard debris.

For more information on preventing wildfires, please go to http://dfr.nc.gov/ or contact Brian Haines, public information officer with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, at (919) 857-4828.