Fire FAQ

No. You will need to call 9-1-1and inform the telecommunicators that you need a lift assist. They will dispatch someone to assist you.

Yes. Fire pits are allowed according to Town Ordinance Section 24-68 does allow for "heating and/or cooking devices manufactured and approved for outdoor use when used in accordance with the manufacturers operating guide." 

Among the regulations established in Section 24-68, fire pits must:

• Be designed in a manner to restrict spread of fire to surrounding flammable materials, e.g., grasses, weeds, bushes, etc. The use of brick or masonry block surrounding the fire pit is recommended.
• Maintain a setback a minimum of 15 feet from any structure or ten feet from any property line.
• Have a nearby pressurized water source, five-gallon bucket of water, or 2A fire extinguisher (minimum size) to extinguish all fires.
• Constantly attended until the fire is extinguished.
• Have all efforts made to minimize the amount of smoke and odors produced by the device from impacting neighbor's properties.
• Be the responsibility of the property owner or legal tenant to ensure the proper extinguishments of all fires.

CLICK HERE to read the Section 24-68 in full

YES. The Brunswick County Ordinance Section 1-11-47-B-1-C states that, among other requirements burning is only allowed when the "burning does not create a nuisance."

If your fire is deemed to be a nuisance by the responding Fire Department or Law Enforcement staff, they can require you to put out the fire.

No. While there are private companies that offer this service, the Fire Department is not able to do so.

YES.All burning permits may be revoked at any time by any authorized Emergency Services personnel (fire, rescue, police or code enforcement officer) due to weather conditions, unsafe practices, permit violations, or any observed activity that creates or contributes to hazardous situations.

We can install battery-powered smoke alarms only. They are not supplied by the department. To schedule installation, call 910-278-1000.

No. According to Town Ordinance Section 24-68: "Burning of solid waste is prohibited in all areas within the town limits; solid waste for this purpose includes, but is not limited to, refuse, recyclable material, white goods, brown goods, leaves, yard debris, yard debris created from lot clearing, cardboard, and all paper goods including newspapers, magazines, books, office paper products, etc." 

Illegally burning solid waste within the Town limits poses a significant health and fire hazard, and can be subject to citation, including fines.   

The Yard Debris Collection Schedule is provided on the Public Works Department page at OakIslandNC.gov/PW. Additionally, yard debris may be disposed of at the Brunswick County Landfill, or any of the convenience sites provided by Brunswick County Solid Waste & Recycling. Information on these options is available at www.brunswickcountync.gov.

NO, As noted in Town Ordinance Section 24-68, "Burning of solid waste is prohibited in all areas within the town limits."

The Town of Oak Island provides regular curbside yard debris collection from the public right of way. The collection schedule can be found on the Yard Debris Collection page of the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/YardDebris.

Full details on the type of burn / fire pits allowed within the Town limits can be viewed in Town Ordinance Section 24-68, but generally include:

• Any type of commercial chimenea being used by the manufactured recommendations, with spark arrestor in place 
• A man-made burn pit for keeping warm or cooking being no bigger than 4ft by 4ft in size, with the material being burned being no more that 4ft high.  It must be a minimum of 15 feet from ANY structure and at least 10 feet from the property line.   

When using an outdoor fire pit, make sure to adhere to all necessary safety precautions.

• The Hazards of Backyard Burning
• Breathe, Don't Burn!

They can be brought to Fire Station 2, located at 8510 E Oak Island Drive on weekdays between 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, and staff will dispose of them.

Open fires on the beach can go by several names, such as bonfires, firepits, and open fires. These are not allowed on the between May 1 and November 15  each year to accommodate Sea Turtle Nesting Season. The sea turtles which use Oak Island's beaches for their nesting are federally protected species. Light from the fire could cause nesting or hatchling turtles to become disoriented, and wander away from the ocean. This could lead to endangerment and even death from predators, holes left in the beach, and even the heat from coals and burned materials that were not properly discarded.

Anyone found having illegal bonfires on the beach during Sea Turtle Nesting Season will be required to have them put out, and could be subject to citation penalties, including fines.  

Cloudy or discolored water could be a sign of any number of causes. The most common cause of discoloration by the Fire Department is from the annual Fire Hydrant Testing & Maintenance Program.

When hydrants are tested near your home, there is a chance testing could stir up sediment in the immediate area; which could appear as discolored water. If this occurs, it’s recommended to flush the home's water system and refrain from laundry until your water runs clear. To flush the water system, simply turn on a cold-water faucet outside of the house and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes.

To learn more about the Hydrant Testing & Maintenance Program, visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/HYDRANTS.