Fire claims 20 acres of pasture, second fire burns woods
Steve Troxler, State Agriculture Commissioner, as per state law (NC G.S. 106-944 & 106-946) has cancelled all burning permits and is prohibiting all open burning for the entire counties of Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Catawba, Haywood, Iredell, Lincoln, Madison, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey. This ban on open burning is effective at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, and shall remain in effect until further notice.
Additionally, Alexander County Fire Marshal Mark Earle has declared a burning ban on fires within 100 feet of occupied dwellings, which is not covered by Troxler’s action.
Alexander County Forest Service Ranger David Huffman and fellow firefighters were busy over the weekend with fires in the dry, warm weather conditions, which are ripe for wildfire.
On Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, a fire occurred off Dock Connolly Road affecting about 20 acres of pasture land. The NC Forest Service Alexander, NCFS Alexander Strike Team, Vashti and six other fire departments responded, said Huffman. Vashti Chief Coty Fox noted his department was assisted by Vashti Ladies’ Auxiliary, Central School Fire Dept. of Iredell, Hiddenite Fire Dept., Wilkes-Iredell Fire, Trinity Fire, and Sugar Loaf fire departments. Severely low relative humidity led to the possible cause of an electric fence starting the fire, said Huffman.
A fire off Lindsey Bebber Road broke out Sunday night, which burned 3/10 acre in the woods. Ellendale, Taylorsville, Sugar Loaf, and three engines with NCFS responded. Huffman said the cause was an unattended campfire and a warning ticket was issued.
Photo courtesy of Vashti VFD.
Photo courtesy of Vashti VFD.
Photo courtesy of Vashti VFD.
