The LumberWorksForums

Hey fellow sawyers and woodlot workers. I just need to get on here and vent some steam over the recent decision of the North carolina Forest Service to institute a statewide burning ban. Burning is an important part of my job, I burn to properly manage fields and woodlots, (mine and others as well), and I burn to get rid of the huge slab piles that I end up with. This past weekend was a perfect opportunity for me to burn the debris off of an acre or so of clearcut that I am going to be planting back to shortleaf pines in the next few weeks. But Thursday morning, after waking up to nearly two inches of snow on the ground, very wet soil conditions, and at least a 1/2 inch of rain forecast to roll in Sunday, I found that the forest service has banned all outdoor burning in North Carolina! The forest service says that high winds and continued drought conditions is what prompted this decision. The bottom line is, they had a rough week of fighting wildfires and then overreacted to dangerous conditions in a few portions of the state by imposing this ban on all of the citizens and property owners in the state. I suppose that they assume that all "prescribed burners" are as reckless as they are when they try to do controlled burns! (in this area, the NCFS has a very poor record of letting their controlled burns get away from them) Some of us have enough sense to safely set up burns for success, and put forth the effort that it takes to controll the burn and mop-up afterwards. I hope that they soon come to their senses so that the citizens of NC can resume responsible use of burning as an effective forest management tool. I hope to post more pix, info., and advice on burning in this topic later. here is a couple of pix from some grass field and woodlot burning that I did over the last few years.



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Maybee I had passed judgement on the NCFS boys too quickly, I just learned that the Statewide burn ban was initiated by governor Easlymisled (Gov. Easley), in that case, the NCFS probably didnt have much say in the matter & just had it shoved down their throats. Even more reason to be upset with it, if my fellow tarheels would, please urge your representatives to assist in rescinding the burn ban. Thanks!