The N.C. Division of Forest Resources has imposed a statewide ban on all open burning and canceled all burning permits effective at noon today, due to the red flag warning imposed by the National Weather Service. The red flag warning, which was issued due to high winds and unusually dry air, is in place from noon until 9 p.m. statewide. The ban on open burning will remain in effect until conditions improve.

The ban covers all burning outside a 100-foot radius from any occupied dwelling. That is the province of local officials, and the Fire Marshal's officer tells me for the time being they are not going to implement the ban in that area.

A red flag warning is imposed when relative humidities are less than 25 percent, sustained winds reach at least 20 mph and forest fuels are dry. North Carolina is also experiencing an increase in fire activity statewide. There were 81 wildfires on Wednesday affecting more than 1,386 acres across North Carolina, including a nearly 1,300-acre wildfire in New Hanover County and a 100-acre fire in Stokes County that threatened 15 homes.