RALEIGH -- On Tuesday, March 10, the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources kicked off a 55-county public awareness campaign to warn people of the fire danger still posed by Hurricane Fran debris. Hurricane debris on the ground makes more than 200,000 structures in North Carolina more vulnerable to forest fires.

Eventhough its been over a year since hurricanes Fran and Bertha hit North Carolina, the dead wood and debris left in their wake still provides ready fuel for fires over more than half the state. The debris also makes it tougher for forest service crews to reach the fires with tractors and other heavy equipment, according to the Division of Forest Resources.

The 55-county campaign will inform North Carolinians of the danger left by the hurricanes and educate them about how to prevent forest fires. The campaign will use broadcast and print advertising, as well as direct mail to reach citizens of southeastern North Carolina. This is the first time this kind of campaign has been launched since Hurricane Hugo in 1989.

Division of Forest Resources officials are urging citizens to be careful when burning debris, since these kinds of fires can quickly grow out of control. Debris burning was the leading cause of the 4,310 forest fires in North Carolina last year. Arson was the second most common cause.

While forest fires can occur any time in North Carolina, Division of Forest Resources officials say they are typically worst between March and June, when humidity is lower, winds are higher and rain is less frequent. Despite the recent wet weather, forest fires are expected to cause problems this spring in our state.

For more information, contact Lisa Schell at (919) 733-2162 ext. 262.

Date Posted: March 13