Devastating. A word meaning highly destructive, damaging, causing severe shock, distress or grief. It’s also a word that has commonly been associated with the Grindstone Fire that ignited Nov. 27, 2021, at Pilot Mountain State Park. It’s not difficult to see where...
wildfire
The faces of wildfire response and training to answer the call
Now that we are well into the fall months, images of wildfire activity have begun to infiltrate media outlets and platforms across the country as several states are in the heart of fall wildfire season. Local, state and federal agencies are pushing public information...
Fighting fire in the ‘third dimension’ and the road to recovery
Since 2010, more than 42,000 wildfires have taken place in North Carolina, burning well over 400,000 acres. The approach to fighting wildland fire is anything but “one size fits all” when considering the vast geographical differences throughout the state. The...
Fighting fire with fire: why we need to burn the land
Many people associate fire with destruction, devastation and loss. Large clouds of smoke, burly orange blazes, tree limbs snapping and ash falling like snow are some of the images we’ve all seen that contribute to the “fire is bad” perception. While wildfires can reach a dangerous and destructive level quickly, not all fire is bad. […]
Use caution when burning during Spring fire season.
The N.C. Forest Service defines March through May as Spring wildfire season and cautions residents to be careful when burning during this time of year. As the temperatures warm up, people are getting out in their yards, clearing out debris from gardens, flower beds and woody areas. Some will take the opportunity to burn the […]
Today’s Topic: Be careful when burning yard debris in spring
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” March 1 traditionally marks the beginning of spring wildfire season in North Carolina. The risk of wildfire in our state is typically higher between March and May. It’s also a time of year when people are doing a lot of […]
Today’s Topic: Spring wildfire season
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” This time of year, many people get back into their yards to do spring cleaning, which often includes burning leaves and yard debris. Commissioner Troxler encourages residents to think safety first because this time of year also […]
Today’s Topic: Fall wildfire season approaches
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” Nine out of 10 wildfires in the United States are started by people, and this month brings the start of fall wildfire season in North Carolina. Commissioner Troxler is encouraging residents to keep safety in mind and […]
News Roundup: March 30-April 5
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. Click on the links to go straight to the full story. “Gray’s Creek High agriculture department holds Easter Ag-Stravaganza,” Fayetteville Observer: As bluegrass and country music hummed in the background […]
News Roundup: March 23-29
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. Click on the links to go straight to the full story. “Chinese-owned lumber company expanding Charlotte headquarters,” Charlotte Observer: A Chinese-owned hardwood lumber company will expand its headquarters in Charlotte, […]
With 65 N.C. counties experiencing moderate drought, residents should think before burning debris
Today’s announcement that 65 North Carolina counties are in a moderate drought reinforces recent cautions from the N.C. Forest Service about burning yard waste and other debris. The Drought Management Advisory Council released a map showing the drought spreading over central and western North Carolina. Moderate drought now covers 65 counties, an increase of 11 […]
Photos from the Field: N.C. Forest Service crews will help fight wildfires in Idaho
The N.C. Forest Service is sending two 20-person crews of firefighters to battle wildfires in Idaho. Firefighters from the coast and Piedmont left today from the N.C. Forest Service Region 2 headquarters in Chatham County. Traveling by bus to Knoxville, Tenn., they will join crews from Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee to fly to Idaho. They […]