Drought-fueled field fires spark concern across central North Carolina

In these drought conditions, fires are breaking out across the area, many on farms and in open fields.

In Broadway, about seven acres burned while a farmer was working his land along U.S. 421, according to the North Carolina Forestry Service.

“My God… go, go, go,” said one man who witnessed the flames spread. 

Officials say the fire spread quickly through dry hay. The landowner told WRAL he was working the field when, in an instant, a spark from his equipment ignited the dry land.

It’s a pattern showing up across the region. Just two weeks ago in Cumberland County, a farmer described a nearly identical scenario under similar dry conditions.

“We were baling wheat straw and the hay baler caught on fire… the dry straw just took off burning,” said Joe Gillis, Cumberland County farmer. 

First responders with Boone Trail Emergency Services say extreme drought is fueling these fast-moving fires. Several experts in North Carolina said the state is experiencing “historic levels of dryness.”

Much of western North Carolina and the mid-part of the state, from Raleigh north, are in “extreme drought,” or the second-highest/worst level. In an extreme drought, major crop and pasture losses are expected, reservoirs and wells are at very low levels and many municipalities limit water use.

Since a statewide burn ban was implemented on March 28, the N.C. Forest Service reports 971 fires across the state that have burned 2,870 acres. Only five of the blazes are being blamed on natural ignition or lightning. 

The US Department of Agriculture says one key way to reduce risk is to maintain it properly. Regularly clean and closely monitor farm equipment to prevent sparks.

In these dry conditions, it only takes one spark to destroy an entire field.