Beloved Outer Banks tradition banned due to worsening NC drought, NPS says

Beach bonfires are now banned along the Outer Banks due to the worsening drought in North Carolina.

The ban includes all beaches managed by the National Park Service, which accounts for the bulk of the state’s barrier islands.

“Cape Hatteras National Seashore has temporarily banned beach fires due to abnormally dry conditions that may increase the risk of beach fires spreading into dune vegetation, forested areas, or developed neighborhoods adjacent to Seashore beaches,” the park says.

Cape Lookout National Seashore says charcoal grills remain permissible “as long as the charcoal is attended during use and is allowed to go cold under direct supervision.”

The Outer Banks Visitors Guide reports beach fires are a tradition and have long provided vacationing families with “budget-friendly entertainment.”

“For many vacationers, having a bonfire or a fire pit on the beach is a family tradition that begins a weeklong stay at the shore,” Outerbanks.com says. “The great draw about the Outer Banks is that there are literally miles of shoreline where beach fires are permissible.”

Prior to the drought, tourists were allowed to build bonfires on ocean-facing beaches – with a park-issued permit. The fires were allowed between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and could be no more than three feet in diameter.

The North Carolina Forest Service has issued a statewide burn ban “until further notice” due to the severe drought. “Campfires would be considered open burning and are not exempt from the burn ban,” the N.C. Forest Service says.