April 12, 1999

CONTACT: Pat Momich or Ruth Berner

Phone: 828-257-4266 or 828-257-4862

 NATIONAL FORESTS ISSUE BURNING BAN

ASHEVILLE—The Forest Supervisor for the National Forests in North Carolina
issued a ban on all open fires in Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests, effective today,
due to hazardous forest fire conditions.

The ban prohibits building, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or warming fire other
than within a developed recreation area and then only in an established fire grill or fire ring.
The use of cooking stoves is not restricted by the ban.

Strong winds, warm temperatures, and low humidity make the fire danger extremely
high across the mountain creating red flag conditions. The North Carolina Division
of Forest Resource also issued a burning ban today in all mountain counties.

The burning bans will remain in effect until further notice.

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