• Brown Pelican taking off.

    Cape Hatteras

    National Seashore North Carolina

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »
  • New Off Road Vehicle Regulations

    New off road vehicle (ORV) regulations are now in effect. Please check here for information on how to get your ORV permit More »

  • Beach Fire Permits are required

    Beach Fire Permits are now required. These permits are free. Please check here for information on how to get your Beach Fire Permit More »

NPS Temporary Fire Ban in Effect

Subscribe RSS Icon | What is RSS
Date: June 22, 2011
Contact: Outer Banks Group, 252-473-2111

NPS Temporary Fire Ban in Effect

Superintendent Mike Murray announced today that Cape Hatteras National Seashore will comply with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources temporary ban on all open burning in areas of North Carolina south of U.S. 64 and east of Interstate 95, which includes Dare and Hyde counties where the Seashore is located. The ban on open burning is necessary because of the dry weather conditions and an increase in wildland fire activity throughout eastern North Carolina. The Dare County Fire Marshall’s Office has also issued a ban on all open burning for the unincorporated areas of Dare County until further notice.

In conjunction with the State’s ban on open burning, all beach fires are temporarily banned on Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches. The use of grills for cooking is still permitted. Caution should be exercised while cooking outdoors and lit materials should be confined to the grill apparatus. Visitors are asked to dispose of used charcoal and any smoking materials, such as cigar or cigarette butts, carefully and away from any combustible materials. Additionally, visitors are reminded that fireworks are strictly prohibited in the National Seashore.

For more information, contact park headquarters at 252-473-2111 ext. 118.

Did You Know?

Lightning whelks are one of the few species of "left-handed" gastropods: their shells whorl to the left.

Lightning whelks eat about one large clam per month.  The whelk pries the clam open with its muscular foot, wedges the clam open with its shell, then eats the soft inside of the clam.

Lightning whelk shells, which whorl to the left, wash up on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.