Seasonal Hazards & Outdoor Safety: Wildfire & Outdoor Fire Safety

May brings warmer weather, longer evenings, and more time spent outdoors. In Statesville and throughout North Carolina, this time of year can also bring dry conditions, gusty winds, and an increased risk of outdoor fires.

Whether you are clearing yard debris, lighting a grill, or enjoying a backyard fire pit, fire safety should always remain a priority. As part of our Community Risk Reduction efforts, the Statesville Fire Department encourages residents to review these four important outdoor fire safety tips this month.

Reduce Wildfire Risk Around Your Home

Even small outdoor fires can spread quickly under the right conditions. Dry leaves, pine needles, and brush can easily ignite, especially during windy weather.

Help reduce wildfire risk by:

• Clearing dry leaves and debris from around your home.
• Keeping gutters free of pine straw and leaves.
• Maintaining a safe distance between fire pits and structures.
• Avoiding outdoor burning on windy days.
• Following all local burn regulations and guidance.

Creating defensible space around your home helps slow the spread of fire and protects both your property and neighboring homes.

Practice Safe Grilling Habits

Grilling season ramps up in late spring. Whether using charcoal or propane, grills must be operated carefully to prevent accidental fires.

Grill Safety Reminders:

• Place grills at least 10 feet away from homes, decks, and overhangs.
• Never grill inside a garage or under a covered porch.
• Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the grill area.
• Never leave a grill unattended while in use.
• Ensure propane connections are secure and check for leaks before lighting.

After grilling, allow coals to cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container.

Use Campfires & Fire Pits Responsibly

The City of Statesville ordinance does not allow open burning, including fire pits and burning barrels, within city limits for residents. If campfires or fire pits are permitted where you live, extra precautions are necessary to prevent unintended spread.

Backyard fire pits and recreational campfires are popular this time of year, but they require close supervision.

Campfire Safety Tips:

• Keep fires small and manageable.
• Always have a water source, hose, or fire extinguisher nearby.
• Use fire pits on stable, non-combustible surfaces.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Fully extinguish fires before leaving the area - ashes should be cool to the touch.

Wind can carry embers beyond your intended fire area, so always monitor weather conditions before lighting a fire.

Be Cautious When Burning Yard Debris

The City of Statesville ordinance does not allow open burning, including fire pits and burning barrels, within city limits for residents. If burning yard debris is permitted where you live, extra precautions are necessary to prevent unintended spread.

Before Burning:

• Check local guidelines and burn advisories.
• Clear a wide area around the burn site.
• Keep piles small and manageable.
• Continuously monitor the fire until it is fully extinguished.

If conditions are dry or windy, postpone burning activities. What starts as a small debris fire can quickly grow beyond control.

Outdoor Fire Safety Protects Our Community

In Statesville, protecting homes, wooded areas, and neighborhoods from preventable outdoor fires is a shared responsibility. Warmer weather means more outdoor activities - but it also requires increased awareness.

By maintaining your property, grilling safely, supervising campfires, and following local burn guidance, you help reduce fire risk for your family and your community.

Community Risk Reduction begins with small, intentional actions. A few simple precautions today can prevent emergencies tomorrow.

The Statesville Fire Department encourages residents to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly this season.

View additional tips on our website at fire.statesvillenc.net/community-risk-reduction.