Information on Upcoming Burning in Buffer Zone
The purpose of this announcement is to inform everyone on the upcoming prescribed burning that will take place in the buffer zone adjoining the Town of Kure Beach and Town of Carolina Beach.
Purpose
The main purpose of the prescribed burn in the buffer zone is to support the operations at Sunny Point Military Terminal through the reduction of fuel load.
When
Sunny Point will begin burning in the month of January 2026 (with as early as Monday January 5th, 2026), when the moisture levels and other required factors to burn reach their desired point. The burning will begin no earlier than 9AM and will end no later than 3:30 PM each day of the burning. They plan on only burning on days in which the wind is blowing towards the river, or slightly north or south with a dominate east wind. They plan to give the fire department a minimum of 48 hours’ notice, with a hopeful weeks’ notice. As soon as the fire department receives this notice, we will inform all citizens and staff through an email blast and announcement on the Towns website.
How Long
The plan is to burn the pre-designated areas over a period of 5-10 separate days in the month of January, February, and March. Although 5-10 days of burning over the next 3 months is not a long time, residual smoke from each actual burning day could linger for a few days afterwards. Last year, we experienced lingering smoke and smoldering in some areas for up to two weeks.
Where
They have identified around 300 acres between both Carolina Beach and Kure Beach to burn this season. The actual areas that will be burned will be identified within 48 hours. Please see the attached map for zones in which they may burn the first week of January.
Who is performing the burn?
Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point Natural Resources Department is performing all services of the pre-scribed burn. The burn boss has significant experience over a period of 30 years with burning areas close to and adjacent to residential areas. They have stated their desire is to minimize all negative effects to the population as much as possible. They plan to burn during strict times of the day with strict wind and atmospheric patterns for more desired results.
What to Expect
First, as soon as we are notified of burn plans, the fire department will provide citizens and staff with as much information as possible with as much time as possible. We have asked for more signage from MOTSU this year to reduce the amount of calls the fire department gets and to keep people informed, and we plan to have the digital sign out as well during burn days and days of lingering smoke.
Because the plan is to burn during days where the wind is blowing towards the river, we should not expect much residual smoke throughout Town. However, as we all know, conditions can change at any moment. I would plan on potentially having residual smoke in the area throughout the entire week of each of the 5 burning days, with most of it occurring during the morning hours when the atmospheric ceiling is lower.
Future Announcements
I will send all future announcements within 24 hours of receiving notice from the burn boss.
Sincerely,
Edmund Kennedy
Fire Chief
Kure Beach Fire Department
