Burning ban lifted after rain

As a result of last weekend's rain, N.C. Forestry Service personnel lifted a burning ban that had been in effect for almost a month. Ranger Melvin Crouse said the ban was lifted last Saturday at 10 a.m. "We had enough rain that people could burn for a little while. We hope it keeps raining," he said.

The readiness plan is down to level two, Crouse said Tuesday. It had been as high as level seven, the highest level, last week.

"Right now is a good time to burn, while it's damp," Crouse stated. Extra caution could be needed again, however, if more dry weather occurs.

"It could dry out real quick if we don't get more rain. Two or three days without rain, you'd need to be careful again.

Local residents should still continue to use extreme caution when burning areas adjacent to heavily wooded areas, where the rain may not have penetrated as well.

"The woods is not really wet; just the top of the ground, that's all that's wet," Crouse said.

Crouse said the forestry service is thankful to the people of Alleghany County for being careful and abiding by the burning ban.

"That really helps us," he commented. "We appreciate it a lot. Other counties wasn't as lucky as we was."

Several fires were reported in adjoining Wilkes and Surry counties during the dry spell.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News! Back