Defensible Space Services in Central North Carolina

Without question. In fact, North Carolina is one of the more wildfire-prone states in the eastern United States. The state averages more than 4,000 wildfires per year, which affect tens of thousands of acres.

Several factors contribute to North Carolina’s elevated wildfire risk, including its dense woodland cover, a climate that produces periodic droughts, and a long fire season that can extend from late winter through early summer. Human activity accounts for the vast majority of wildfires in the state, but the accumulation of dry leaf litter, pine needles, and other organic debris on the forest floor provides the fuel that allows fires to spread rapidly under the right conditions.

The Party Rock Fire of 2016, which burned in Henderson and Polk counties in the western part of the state, is widely considered one of the most destructive wildfires in North Carolina’s modern history. The fire burned more than 7,000 acres, destroyed dozens of structures, and forced thousands of residents to evacuate. It was part of a broader outbreak of wildfires that swept across the southern Appalachian region during the fall of 2016, following an extended period of severe drought.

The most effective way to protect your home from wildfire is to create and maintain defensible space — a buffer zone of managed vegetation around your home that slows the spread of fire and gives firefighters the access they need to defend your property. This includes removing dead trees and shrubs, pruning low-hanging branches, clearing accumulated debris, and replacing highly combustible plants with more fire-resistant species.

If a wildfire is approaching your property, the most important thing you can do is follow the instructions of local emergency management officials — including evacuation orders. If time permits and it is safe to do so, you can take steps such as closing all windows and doors, moving combustible furniture and materials away from the exterior of your home, shutting off gas at the meter, and connecting garden hoses to outdoor spigots. However, none of these measures are a substitute for a well-maintained defensible space program, which is best established long before a fire ever threatens your property.

The vast majority of wildfires in North Carolina are caused by human activity, with debris burning being the single leading cause. Other common causes include equipment use, such as sparks from lawnmowers or chainsaws, as well as arson, campfires, and discarded cigarettes. Lightning-caused wildfires do occur in North Carolina but are relatively rare compared to human-caused fires.

Yes — mulch can and does catch fire, particularly when it becomes dry and is located in close proximity to a structure. Rubber mulch is especially combustible and should be avoided near homes in wildfire-prone areas. Even organic mulches like wood chips and pine straw can ignite under the right conditions, which is why it’s important to keep mulch beds well away from your home’s foundation.