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Burning ban hurts a holiday tradition
Mother Nature has forced fire officials to take on the role of the Grinch that stole Christmas.
In October, extremely dry conditions forced state forestry officials to institute a ban on open burning beyond 100 feet from an occupied dwelling. As of Dec. 3, Beaufort County officials took it a step farther and included the area within 100 feet of a house. The result is all open flames, with the exception of cooking grills and fires in containers with lids on them are off limits. Anyone caught violating the ban may be fined $100.
Luminaria, sometimes referred to as luminaries or farolitos, are a Christmas tradition that signify Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. The Spanish tradition started in the 16th century with the lighting of bonfires along roads and churchyards to guide people to midnight Mass. The tradition has since made its way to the United States.
Those seeking to find the manger may need to use a flashlight.
“Although the Washington City Council expressed a desire at its recent meeting to facilitate limited display of holiday luminaries it has now been confirmed that in accordance with the state’s open burning ban, the City of Washington will not be able to allow the use of the traditional candle lighted luminaries this year,” wrote Robbie Rose, a division chief with the Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS-Inspections Department, in a recent announcement.
“These luminaries come under the restrictions of the State of North Carolina’s open burning ban. The restriction is ... consistent with Beaufort County restrictions and other surrounding cities. In the event that the State and County ban is lifted the City may reconsider this restriction,” he wrote.
Rose is taking a stand adopted by other fire officials.
“At this time, I’m going to elect not to approve luminaries,” said Nags Head Fire Marshal Kevin Zorc in a story published in The Virginian Pilot. “Boy, do I sound like a Scrooge or what?”
Not only is the public unhappy, Zorc has an even higher authority to answer to — his wife.
Zorc said his wife usually puts a few of the bags with candles along the driveway at his family’s house for the family’s annual holiday gathering.
“Not now,” he said.
Nags Head won’t, however, patrol for luminaria lawbreakers.
The fire marshal for Camden and Pasquotank counties and the city of Elizabeth City is also dousing the tradition of burning candles inside paper bags anchored with sand.
“No luminaries,” said Barry Overman, who serves as fire marshal for the three jurisdictions. “I’m taking a lot of grief for that.”
In Shelby, the ban put an end to a tradition of candles in the downtown area. In Shelby’s case, the candles are part of a fundraiser that pays for other Christmas lights downtown. The event raises between $800 and $1,000 for the fund each year.
“After a conversation with the city manager and fire chief, we were in agreement that it would be prudent not to do the luminaries,” said Chandler Pool, Uptown Shelby’s associate executive director. “It’s a nice amenity to the uptown holiday festivities, but we had to look at the greater good.”
We don’t fault fire officials for implementing the ban. It’s their job to protect us, even if it means protecting us when we don’t want to be protected. The state has had more than 6,590 wildfires this year that blackened 36,000 acres. Despite the burning ban, there have been 94 fires that have burned 698 acres since Dec. 1.
There is at least one option when it comes to replacing luminaria. Some fire officials suggest using battery-operated candles this year. Those don’t pose a fire hazard. Although more costly than a regular candle, they could produce the desired effect. In the end, while we hate to see the holiday without luminaria, the ultimate authority on Christmas can still see the light of Christmas burning in our hearts.
In October, extremely dry conditions forced state forestry officials to institute a ban on open burning beyond 100 feet from an occupied dwelling. As of Dec. 3, Beaufort County officials took it a step farther and included the area within 100 feet of a house. The result is all open flames, with the exception of cooking grills and fires in containers with lids on them are off limits. Anyone caught violating the ban may be fined $100.
Luminaria, sometimes referred to as luminaries or farolitos, are a Christmas tradition that signify Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. The Spanish tradition started in the 16th century with the lighting of bonfires along roads and churchyards to guide people to midnight Mass. The tradition has since made its way to the United States.
Those seeking to find the manger may need to use a flashlight.
“Although the Washington City Council expressed a desire at its recent meeting to facilitate limited display of holiday luminaries it has now been confirmed that in accordance with the state’s open burning ban, the City of Washington will not be able to allow the use of the traditional candle lighted luminaries this year,” wrote Robbie Rose, a division chief with the Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS-Inspections Department, in a recent announcement.
“These luminaries come under the restrictions of the State of North Carolina’s open burning ban. The restriction is ... consistent with Beaufort County restrictions and other surrounding cities. In the event that the State and County ban is lifted the City may reconsider this restriction,” he wrote.
Rose is taking a stand adopted by other fire officials.
“At this time, I’m going to elect not to approve luminaries,” said Nags Head Fire Marshal Kevin Zorc in a story published in The Virginian Pilot. “Boy, do I sound like a Scrooge or what?”
Not only is the public unhappy, Zorc has an even higher authority to answer to — his wife.
Zorc said his wife usually puts a few of the bags with candles along the driveway at his family’s house for the family’s annual holiday gathering.
“Not now,” he said.
Nags Head won’t, however, patrol for luminaria lawbreakers.
The fire marshal for Camden and Pasquotank counties and the city of Elizabeth City is also dousing the tradition of burning candles inside paper bags anchored with sand.
“No luminaries,” said Barry Overman, who serves as fire marshal for the three jurisdictions. “I’m taking a lot of grief for that.”
In Shelby, the ban put an end to a tradition of candles in the downtown area. In Shelby’s case, the candles are part of a fundraiser that pays for other Christmas lights downtown. The event raises between $800 and $1,000 for the fund each year.
“After a conversation with the city manager and fire chief, we were in agreement that it would be prudent not to do the luminaries,” said Chandler Pool, Uptown Shelby’s associate executive director. “It’s a nice amenity to the uptown holiday festivities, but we had to look at the greater good.”
We don’t fault fire officials for implementing the ban. It’s their job to protect us, even if it means protecting us when we don’t want to be protected. The state has had more than 6,590 wildfires this year that blackened 36,000 acres. Despite the burning ban, there have been 94 fires that have burned 698 acres since Dec. 1.
There is at least one option when it comes to replacing luminaria. Some fire officials suggest using battery-operated candles this year. Those don’t pose a fire hazard. Although more costly than a regular candle, they could produce the desired effect. In the end, while we hate to see the holiday without luminaria, the ultimate authority on Christmas can still see the light of Christmas burning in our hearts.
