WILDFIRES A REMINDER ABOUT OPEN BURNING RULES

RALEIGH - Recent wildfire activity has prompted officials with the N.C. Division of Air Quality to remind people that many wildfires are caused by illegal open burning that could have been prevented.

North Carolina's open burning rule is one of the state's oldest air quality regulations, dating back to the early 1970s. The rules sets strict limits on outdoor fires and prohibits the burning of any man-made materials, because smoke pollutes the air and can be unhealthy to breathe. However, many residents may be unaware of the limits on open burning or may choose to ignore the rules.

"Many wildfires should never happen," said Jeff Bouchelle, open burning coordinator for the state Division of Air Quality. "People should understand that in addition to being dangerous, certain open burning can be a costly mistake. You should never burn trash and other man-made materials."

The Division of Air Quality can fine violators up to $10,000 or more for illegal outdoor burning. Open burning violations are the division's biggest enforcement problem - accounting for about two-thirds of all air quality complaints as well as half of all violation notices and one-third of all enforcement actions. Investigating and enforcing such cases cost the division about $200,000 in 2006 alone.

North Carolina law prohibits most open burning because the smoke from outdoor fires can cause serious health problems and pollute the air. A study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that backyard burning of trash is the largest source of highly toxic dioxin emissions. Under the open burning rule, it is illegal to burn: garbage, paper, cardboard, tires and other rubber products, building materials such as lumber, wire and synthetic materials, asphalt shingles and heavy oils, paints and agricultural chemicals and buildings.

For more information, contact Tom Mather at (919) 715-7408 or tom.mather@ncmail.net. A free brochure describing what is allowed and prohibited under the state open burning rule can be obtained by calling (919) 733-3340; writing to the Division of Air Quality at 1641 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1641; or checking the DAQ web site at www.ncair.org

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