Press release from Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition:
We are at extremely high fire risk right now because of such dry conditions, and the city and county have activated the Emergency Operations Plan and initiated a Burn Ban. AFD shared the following information:
City staff wanted to give you an update on the dangerous fire conditions as well as present a request for your consideration.
We are in high fire danger for Asheville and surrounding areas with our first chance of potential rain showers coming Thursday night.
The City of Asheville never allows open burning, and Buncombe County issued a burn ban on November 5.
Starting today this ban also includes fires contained in a pit, barbecue grill, or chimnea device smaller than three feet in diameter. The burning ban will be in effect until conditions improve and the ban is canceled. Fines can and will be issued if people are not obeying the ban.
We know that our unhoused population frequently uses fire as a tool for food and warmth, but in our current condition it is extremely dangerous to do so. The next few days the temperatures in Asheville will likely not reach code purple temperatures.
With all that in mind, we would like to open up the conversation to activate Code Purple this week. This would support our effort to limit any sort of dangerous burning while also providing an option for those in need.
Purpose of Code Purple:
Code Purple is a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter to people experiencing homelessness during extremely cold weather or major weather conditions. During Code Purple, participating shelters will provide more beds with fewer requirements than their typical programming. Code Purple sites will also work with participants to refer them to ongoing shelter and housing options.
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