Useful Information

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Bears are a part of mountain living.  For more about bears and bear safety visit www.bearwise.org

Conserving Carolina is a great organization aimed at preserving the natural wonder of a place we call home.  For more information visit www.conservingcarolina.org

Polk Trails is a great place to find some of the better known hiking trails in and around Polk County.  For more information visit  www.polktrails.org

**Outdoor burning is not recommended--there is no safe method of burning debris on a forested mountain**

* Burn Permits must first be secured before all outdoor debris burning*

Note: A burn permit does not release you of liability.

If you do decide to burn, please follow these tips for safer debris burning and fire pits.

• Don’t burn on dry, windy days.
• Check to see if weather changes are expected. Outdoor burning should be postponed if shifts in wind direction, higher winds or wind gusts are forecast.
• Before doing any burning, establish wide control lines down to bare mineral soil at least five feet wide around any burn barrels and even wider around brush piles and other piled debris to be burned. The larger the debris pile, the wider the control line needed to ensure that burning materials won’t be blown or roll off the pile into vegetation outside the line.
• Stay with all outdoor fires until they are completely out.
• Keep water and hand tools ready in case your fire should attempt to spread.
• Stay abreast of wildfire danger levels and heed warnings

1. Clear: Clear off pine needles, dead leaves, and anything else that can burn from your rooflines, gutters, decks, porches, patios, and along fence lines. Falling embers will have nothing to burn.
2. Store Away: Store away furniture cushions, rattan mats, potted plants, and other decorations from doors, decks, porches, and patios. These items catch embers and help ignite your home if you leave them outside.
3. Screen & Seal: Wind-blown embers can get into homes easily through vents and other openings and burn the home from the inside out. Walk around your house to see what openings you can screen or temporarily seal up.
4. Rake: Embers that land in mulch that touches your house, deck, or fence is a big fire hazard. Rake out any landscaping mulch to at least 5 feet away.
5. Trim: Trim back any shrubs or tree branches that come closer than 5 feet to your house, in addition to any overhanging branches.
6. Remove: Walk around your house and remove anything within 30 feet that could burn, such as woodpiles, spare lumber, vehicles, and boats – anything that can act as a large source of fuel.
7. Close: If ordered to evacuate, make sure all windows and doors are closed tightly and seal up any pet doors. Many home are destroyed by embers entering these openings and burning the house from the inside out.

For more information check out the facts sheets on the link below.

https://resistwildfirenc.org/homeowners.htm