North Carolina Division of Air Quality

Open Burning

Air Quality Regional Offices

Asheville

Mooresville

Winston-Salem

Fayetteville

Raleigh

Washington

Wilmington

North Carolina Department of

Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

Regional Offices

Buncombe CountyWestern NC Regional Air Pollution Control Agency49 Mount Carmel Road

Asheville, NC 28806Phone: (828) 250-6777

Fax: (828) 255-5226

Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Dept.

537 N. Spruce StreetWinston-Salem, NC 27101

Phone: (336) 703-2440Fax: (336) 703-2456

Mecklenburg County Dept. of Environmental Protection

700 N. Tryon Street, Suite 205Charlotte, NC 28202

Phone: (704) 336-5430Fax: (704) 336-4391

Local Environmental Programs

Washington Regional Office943 Washington Square Mall

Washington, NC 27889Phone: (252) 946-6481

Fax: (252) 975-3716

Wilmington Regional Office127 Cardinal Drive Extension

Wilmington, NC 28405Phone: (910) 796-7215

Fax: (910) 350-2004

Winston-Salem Regional Office585 Waughtown Street

Winston-Salem, NC 27107Phone: (336) 771-5000

Fax: (336) 771-4632

Raleigh Regional Office3800 Barrett Drive

Raleigh, NC 27609Phone: (919) 791-4200

Fax: (919) 881-2261

Mooresville Regional Office610 E. Center Avenue Suite 301

Mooresville, NC 28115Phone: (704) 663-1699

Fax: (704) 663-7579

Fayetteville Regional Office225 Green Street Suite 714

Fayetteville, NC 28301Phone: (910) 433-3300

Fax: (910) 485-7467

Asheville Regional Office2090 US Hwy 70

Swannanoa, NC 28778Phone: (828) 296-4500

Fax: (828) 299-7043

Open Burning Rule

Protects environment and human health

One of NC’s oldest air quality rules - adopted in 1971

Regulates outdoor burning

Sets conditions for allowable fires

Violators can be fined up to $25,000 per violation or more in serious cases

NC Forest Service

Responsible for protecting state and privately owned forest land from forest fires

Forest fire prevention

Controlling wildfires

NCFS issues open burning permits

DAQ does not issue open burning permits

Local Government Local agencies and fire officials may have other

ordinances

Local ordinances must be no less stringent than the state regulation

Following one agency’s regulation does not guarantee compliance with other agencies

Contact your local agencies prior to any open burning

Why Limit Open Burning?

Smoke from open burning pollutes the air and is unhealthy to breathe

Potential health effects include Lung and eye irritation Headaches dizziness Asthma attacks Coughing and wheezing

Air pollution can damage trees and crops

Air Quality Forecast Areas

NC Air Quality Action Days

Yard waste Land clearing debris Natural disaster material Fire training

DAQ recommends no burning throughout the rest of the region on code orange, red, or purple days!

Action days occur when ozone or particle pollution is forecasted to be higher than AQ standards.

On code orange, red, or purple days in air quality forecast areas the following types of open burning are prohibited:

NC Air Quality Action Days

Forest management practices

Agricultural practices

Wildlife management practices

Practices must be acceptable to the North Carolina Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, or Wildlife Management Commission

Exceptions to prohibited open burning on code orange, red, or purple days

Air Quality Forecast

Website: www.ncair.org

Phone: 1-888-784-6224 (1-888-RU4NCAIR)

Email: www.enviroflash.info

Check the forecast in your area before you burn!

If It Doesn’t Grow, Don’t Burn It

It is always illegal to burn trash and other non-vegetative material

What may be burned? Residential – small, vegetative yard wastes (only if public-up is not available)

Non-Residential – Nothing except land clearing debris (businesses, schools, churches, etc)

The burning must follow NC Air Quality Rules

It is always illegal to burn trash and other non-vegetative material

Businesses may never burn, except for land clearing debris

ALL Burning Is Prohibited EXCEPT what is allowed in the rule.

Other Allowable Burning

Campfires

Outdoor cooking

Bonfires for festive occasions

Managing forests or wildlife habitats

Controlling agricultural pests and diseases

Disposing of storm debris from hurricanes and other natural disasters (Requires DAQ prior approval)

Never Burn These Materials:

Trash, garbage

Lumber and Pallets

Treated wood

Tires

Newspapers and other paper products

Wire and coated wire

Structures – standing or demolished

Asphalt shingles

Plastics, synthetics

Heavy oils

Paints

Household, agricultural chemicals

Residential Yard Waste Burning

Residential Yard Waste Burning Must originate on a PRIVATE residence and be burned on that site

If public pickup is NOT available

Leaves, branches, grass clippings, and other plant waste

Does not allow stumps and logs over 6 inches in diameter

Must occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Air quality forecast - Code green or yellow

Smoke cannot create a nuisance

No setback distances

Land Clearing Debris Burning

Land Clearing Debris Burning Only vegetative material such as logs, stumps and limbs

May use kerosene or diesel fuel to start

Start and add to the pile only between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Setback Requirements: 250 feet from public road (Wind Direction – National Weather Service

Forecast)

500 feet from occupied structure (not on burn site)

Air Quality Forecast - Code Green or Yellow

Every pile can be considered a separate violation

Why do we have setback requirements?

Where is this smoke going?

Setback requirements reduce impact on surrounding areas.

Setback Exception (500 feet distance waiver)

Applies ONLY to open burning vegetative land clearing debris

Allows open burning within 500 feet of occupied structures

Requires DAQ prior approval Forms from DAQ website Signatures of those w/in 500 ft Maps

Air Curtain Burner

Air Curtain Burner Requirements

Vegetative material only (On-site)

250 feet from public road

300 feet from occupied structure (not on site)

10% Opacity limit (excluding 45 minute start-up)

Air quality forecast - Code green or yellow

DAQ prior notification and approval required

Fire Fighter Training

Fire Fighter Training

Training exercises at permanent fire training

facilities (Under supervision of colleges and fire academies/training centers)

No DAQ notification or prior approval required

Fire Fighter Training

Abandoned structures – Extinguish & rescue

Junked vehicles – Extinguish & rescue

DAQ notification form & prior approval required

Impermissible Fire Training

Salvageable items, such as insulated wire and electric motors

If the primary purpose of the fire is to dispose of synthetic materials or refuse.

Previously demolished structures

Fire Fighter Training Notification

Meet The Following Conditions

Notification – Regional office (10 days prior to burn – can FAX)

Notification and approval – HHCU/Asbestos (Notification must be postmarked 10 working days prior to the start date. Faxes not accepted)

Change schedule – Notify HHCU in writing prior to original start date and Call DAQ regional office

Air quality forecast - Code green or yellow

Training Objective - Experience

Complaint Investigation Process

DAQ receives complaint from: Citizens Other agencies (Fire Dept, NCFS, etc)

All complaints are investigated by: DAQ (phone, site visit) Other agencies

Complaints investigated by other agencies:

Referral of information to DAQ DAQ may do site visit (depending on nature and severity of

burn)

DAQ addresses every complaint received

DAQ Enforcement

If a violation is documented, DAQ will: Issue Notice of Violation

or Notice of Recommendation for Enforcement

Civil Penalty Assessment (Up to $25,000 per violation which goes to the county school system)

If a violation cannot be documented, DAQ will: Close case – may issue an open burning information letter

Breathe… Don’t Burn!

Outdoor fires pollute the air

Smoke is unhealthy to breathe

Recycle or properly dispose of waste

Open Burning Alternatives Compost yard waste

Chip tree limbs

Land clearing debris Haul to sawmill or pulpwood yard Chip or tub grind remaining material

Recycle or re-use non-vegetative material

Contact local solid waste facility

Contact N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach www.ncenvironmentalassistance.org

Or 1-877-623-6748

North Carolina Division of Air Quality

1-877-OPEN BURN(1-877-673-6287)

www.ncair.org

North Carolina Department of Environment & Natural Resources