Dry weather conditions bring increased danger of wildfires

A forest fire burns near Foscoe Friday night. The area has been plagued with various forest fires due to high winds and dry air. Photo by Tommy Penick | The Appalachian

The fire was probably a result of the warm and dry weather conditions, and there had been a similar wildfire in the same area 13 days before, Matthew Alderidge, assistant chief of the Foscoe Volunteer Fire Department, said. 

“We had four other fire departments come and help us out [on Friday],” Alderidge said. “We were there seven-and-a-half to eight hours.”

More than five wildfires have been reported during March and April in Watauga County, with all of them being contained without significant incident.  

The National Weather Service also released a special weather statement for Watauga County Saturday that stated the county is currently at greater risk for wildfires due to recent hot and dry weather conditions.

“We’re really concerned about fires right now,” Watauga County Forest Ranger for the North Carolina Forest Service Rudy Johnson said. “We’re right in the middle of the spring fire season. Spring and fall are our two worst times.”

Johnson said there has been abnormally dry weather in Watauga County this spring.

Paired with low humidity and excess wind, things have dried out more quickly than normal, creating perfect conditions for wildfires, Johnson said.

“This is the worst fire weather conditions I’ve seen in several years,” Johnson said.

Boone Fire Marshal Ronnie Marsh said most of the fires that have occurred recently have been a result of human error while burning debris.

“Most of the time individuals don’t understand the weather conditions that occur,” Marsh said. “It’s a beautiful day, and individuals think, ‘It’s a great day to go out and burn.’”

Marsh said even if it is a nice day, there are still alternate weather conditions that may occur.

Though there have been three or four fires in the past week, the largest fires have not spread to more than two or three acres due to early notification, Marsh said.

Brian Haines, public information officer for the North Carolina Forest Service, is concerned about the fires.

Haines said careless debris burning is the main cause of wild fires, and he is trying to educate the public about the dangers of debris burning.

“Basically, the whole state is in fire danger conditions,” Johnson said. “The mountain region is the most hazardous.”

Haines said the fire season lasts from March to May.

Story: BECKY BUSH, Intern News Reporter
Photo: TOMMY PENICK, Photographer