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The N.C. Forest Service has issued a burn ban for Cumberland County and the rest of North Carolina starting Friday at 8 a.m. and lasting until further notice.

Open burning is prohibited under the ban, unless the fire is started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. This includes burning leaves, branches or other plant material. In all cases, burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material is illegal.

The burn ban is being issued as wildfires rage across the state.

“It is spring wildfire season in North Carolina, and we are seeing wildfire activity increase due to dry conditions,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said. “With these ongoing conditions, a statewide burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of wildfires starting and spreading quickly. Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state. It is imperative that folks adhere to this burn ban until further notice.”

The National Weather Service has also issued a special weather statement of increased fire danger in Cumberland County from Friday morning through Friday evening. According to the North Carolina Fire Danger map, Cumberland County has a high risk of danger for the next week. This means unattended brush fires and campfires are likely to escape.

“We are urging the community to refrain from any outdoor burning at this time,” Cumberland County Emergency Services stated on Thursday. “Dry conditions and high fire danger increase the risk of wildfires spreading rapidly.”

All burning permits statewide are also temporarily cancelled under the ban. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted.

Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.

Local fire departments and law enforcement officers are assisting the N.C. Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban. The N.C. Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions. Residents with questions can contact the N.C. Forest Service Cumberland County Office by phone at 910-483-1535 and by email at Cumberland.ncfs@ncagr.gov.

A Fayetteville-area wildlife removal expert says that snakes and spiders are the most dangerous wild creatures in our region.

Thomas Grant, who has owned For the People Pest Control and Wildlife in Fayetteville for the past five years, said April 24 that he has encountered a host of problematic critters in his 13 years in the wildlife control industry, including fire ants, coyotes and skunks. But, he said, the most dangerous are spiders and snakes.

The North Carolina Biodiversity Project lists 106 species of spiders in Cumberland County alone. It also has a handy, searchable database that can drill down to county and type.

When it comes to snakes, the North Carolina State Extension devotes a page to the state's five venomous serpents.

The following are some creatures Grant said could ruin the day of any Cumberland County resident who encounters one.

Spiders

Black widow spiders, or latrodectus, are deadly and inconspicuous eight-legged creatures. Grant said a black widow's venom is full of toxins that, while rarely deadly, can cause severe pain. Black widow spiders are often found in dark places like crawlspaces, woodpiles and inside sheds, Grant said. At just about an inch-and-a-half long, if you include its legs, the black widow is easily recognizable by its glossy, jet-black body and red hourglass marking on its underside.

The brown recluse spider, or loxosceles reclusa, can be identified by a fiddle-shaped pattern on its head region directly behind the eyes, according to the NC Poison Control Center. It is sometimes called a “fiddleback” or violin spider because of the fiddle or violin-shaped marking on its back.

The recluse is a small spider and, as its name suggests, likes to hide out in small, dark, dry places. Indoors, they may be found in closets or cabinets not used much. Outside, they may live in sheds or wood piles. Brown recluse spiders are not native to North Carolina but can be found here, Poison Control said.

Snakes

Eastern copperheads are the most common venomous snake in the state and occur across North Carolina, except for the Outer Banks, according to NC State Extension. The copperhead, or agkistrodon contortrix, is found in terrestrial and semi-aquatic habitats, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo. The average length of a copperhead is from 2-3 feet, and they can live up to around 18 years. The snake can be distinguished by its unmarked head and "hourglass-shaped crossbands along its body."

"Copperhead venom is rarely fatal, but bites require immediate medical attention. If you encounter this species, leave it alone!" State Extension warns.

The cottonmouth, or agkistrodon piscivorus, is a venomous snake found in areas associated with water, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. It derives its name from the white color of the inside of its mouth. The snake is patterned with dark crossbands invaded by light olive or brown centers, ranging from three to six feet in length. The cottonmouth is venomous, but poses little to no threat to us when left alone.

The timber rattlesnake reaches lengths of 5.5 feet and is large and heavy-bodied. In the Piedmont and Coastal Plains, it has dark crossbands on a light brown, gray, tan or pinkish background — and of course, a rattle on the end of its tail. It is primarily found in forested areas and feeds on mice, squirrels and sometimes birds, according to NC Wildlife. In late summer, the female rattlers bear one to 20 young. While the venom is highly toxic, deaths from bites are rare but not unknown, Wildlife said. Timber rattlesnakes are active day and night, according to the NC State Extension. Their habitats include rocky outcroppings and fields near wetlands or forests, and they frequently use stump holes and cover objects. A timber rattlesnake has venom potent enough to kill a human, but the National Zoo states that bites are rare.

Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at jpierre@gannett.com.

Cumberland County officials issued a ban on open burning beginning Friday due to an increased fire risk, according to a news release.

The release states the ban went into effect at 8 a.m. because of dry weather, high winds and an increased risk of rapid fire spread.

Cumberland County's ban follows a statewide ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service.

The burn ban prohibits all open flames, burning, and fire activities and is enforced by Cumberland County’s fire prevention ordinance.

The ban includes open burning within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling.

The remains in effect until the statewide ban is lifted by the North Carolina Forest Service, according to the release.

Frequently asked questions

In its announcement on open burning, the Forestry Service included the following frequently asked questions:

Answer: Open burning includes burning leaves, branches or other plant material. In all cases, burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material is illegal.

Answer: The burn ban issued by the N.C. Forest service does not apply to a fire within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. Local government agencies have jurisdiction over open burning within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The N.C. Forest Service has advised county fire marshals of the burning ban and has asked for their consideration of also implementing a burning ban. If a fire within a 100-foot area of a dwelling escapes containment, a North Carolina forest ranger may take reasonable steps to extinguish or control it. The person responsible for setting the fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.

Answer: Yes, if no other local ordinances prohibit their use.

Answer: Campfires would be considered open burning and are not exempt from the burn ban. During a burn ban, portable gas stoves or grills are alternate methods for cooking food while camping.

For more information, visit the State of North Carolina Forest Service announcement or contact the Cumberland County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at jpierre@gannett.com.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Cumberland County commissioners are finalizing some of their plans to build a water distribution system with Fayetteville PWC to bring safe drinking water to people living in the Gray's Creek community. The community has been exposed to PFAS.

The joint project with Cumberland County and the PWC is expected to bring safe drinking water to 200 people living in Gray's Creek. People impacted by the pfas here say this kind of intervention is necessary to protect them from those forever chemicals.

"I didn't know how bad it was. And I started listening, reading about it. And I knew that it can cause all kinds of problems with your health."

Ron Ross says he had a water filtration system installed in front of his home by Chemours. But he still worries about how his exposure to PFAS has been potentially impacting his health--and the health of his family.

Cumberland county is spending $16 million on the first phase of its construction project with PWC to extend water distribution to Gray's Creek. It's all part of a plan to bring the community safer water.

"It's time for action. And what you're seeing now is the action," said Chairman Kirk deViere of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.

In a separate effort, the county is also installing filtration systems at two schools in the community in September: Gray's Creek Elementary and Alderman Road Elementary. PWC says that construction is expected to be completed by mid-summer of next year.

Officials say this could be the start of Cumberland County officials creating a broader water and sewage system in the county to keep up with its development:

"(I)f this community is going to grow, we have to have that infrastructure, both water and sewer, to grow."

The county says it is using funds from the American Rescue Plan, the state and county for the project.

SEE ALSO | New standards on PFAS in drinking water aims to reduce illnesses, cancer, CDC says

Our America: Trouble On Tap | Life with Forever Chemicals | Full Episode

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