INC NEWS - Update on Luminary Ban

[Mike Woodard]

Here is the official word from the Fire 
Department. It would be great to see 
neighborhoods come up with creative ways to replace open-flame lights.

Mike Woodard
City Council

News Release
For Details, Contact:
Angelica Stroud
Community Relations Coordinator/
Public Information Officer
(919) 560-4233 x 242
(919) 451-7560 (cell)
Angelica.Stroud at durhamnc.gov

Durham Fire Department

For Immediate Release:  December 10, 2007

Durham Fire Department Bans All Open Flame Luminaries

Durham, N.C. – The Durham Fire Department (DFD) 
is reminding residents that the statewide burn 
ban that was issued in mid-October by the State 
of North Carolina’s Division of Forest Resources 
prohibits the use of open flames, which includes 
luminaries, the popular holiday tradition that 
typically involves placing a lighted candle inside a paper bag.

According to DFD Chief Bruce Pagan, the extreme 
drought situation and the presence of open-flame 
luminaries can present a significant fire 
hazard.  “In lieu of using open flame luminaries, 
we recommend using battery-operated luminaries instead,” Pagan said.

As part of the ban, the DFD has also canceled all 
burning permits.  By North Carolina law, the burn 
ban prohibits all open burning statewide, 
regardless of whether a permit was issued by a local municipality.

Pagan further advises that any device or item 
requiring the use of open flames, such as cooking 
equipment, candles and fireplaces, should be used 
with extreme caution and these devices and/or 
items should never be left unattended.

For additional holiday fire safety tips, visit 
the City’s Web site at 
<https://exchange.ci.durham.nc.us/exchange/Mike.Woodard/Inbox/Durham%20Bans%20Open%20Flame%20Luminaries.EML//exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/fire/tips.cfm>www.durhamnc.gov/departments/fire/tips.cfm 
or contact Angelica Stroud, community relations 
coordinator and public information officer for 
the DFD, at (919) 560-4233, extension 242 or via 
e-mail at <mailto:Angelica.Stroud at durhamnc.gov>Angelica.Stroud at durhamnc.gov.

About the City of Durham Fire Department
The City of Durham Fire Department (DFD) strives 
to provide a cost-effective level of service 
designed to protect and prevent the loss of life 
and property from the adverse effects of fires, 
medical emergencies and exposure to dangerous 
conditions created by either man or nature.  The 
department offers fire education and suppression 
programs; enforces state and city fire codes; 
investigates arson and the causes of fires; 
provides basic training skills to recruits and 
in-service personnel and conducts a preventive 
fire maintenance program to ensure equipment is 
dependable and efficient.  To learn more about 
the DFD, visit the City’s Web site 
at 
<https://exchange.ci.durham.nc.us/exchange/Mike.Woodard/Inbox/Durham%20Bans%20Open%20Flame%20Luminaries.EML//exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/fire>www.durhamnc.gov/departments/fire. 


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