reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NC Gen Stat § 106-943 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 78 - Regulation of Open Fires.|§ 106-943 - Open burning in non-high hazard counties; permits required; standards.

 106-943. Open burning in non-high hazard counties; permits required; standards.(a) The provisions of this section apply only to the counties not designated as high hazard counties in G.S. 106-942(a).(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to start or cause to be started any fire or ignite any material in any woodland under the protection of the Department or within 500 feet of any such woodland during the hours starting at midnight and ending at 4:00 P.M. without first obtaining a permit from the Department. Permits may be obtained from forest rangers or other agents authorized by the forest ranger to issue such permits in the county in which the fire is to be started. Such permits shall be issued by the ranger or other agent unless permits for the area in question have been prohibited or cancelled under G.S. 106-944 or G.S. 106-946.  (1981, c. 1100, s. 2; 2011-145, s. 13.25(w), (x).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-944 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 78 - Regulation of Open Fires.|§ 106-944 - Open burning prohibited statewide.

 106-944. Open burning prohibited statewide.During periods of hazardous forest fire conditions or during air pollution episodes declared pursuant to Article 21B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, the Commissioner is authorized to prohibit all open burning regardless of whether a permit is required under G.S. 106-942 or G.S. 106-943. The Commissioner shall issue a press release containing relevant details of the prohibition to news media serving the area affected.  (1981, c. 1100, s. 2; 2011-145, s. 13.25(w), (x).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-945 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 78 - Regulation of Open Fires.|§ 106-945 - Permit conditions.

 106-945. Permit conditions.Permits issued under this Article shall be issued in the name of the person undertaking the burning and shall specify the specific area in which the burning is to occur, the type and amount of material to be burned, the duration of the permit, and such other factors as are necessary to identify the burning which is allowed under the permit.  (1981, c. 1100, s. 2; 2011-145, s. 13.25(w).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-946 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 78 - Regulation of Open Fires.|§ 106-946 - Permit suspension and cancellation.

 106-946. Permit suspension and cancellation.Upon a determination that hazardous forest fire conditions exist the Commissioner is authorized to cancel any permit issued under this Article and suspend the issuance of any new permits. Upon a determination by the Environmental Management Commission or its agent that open burning permitted under this Article is causing significant contravention of ambient air quality standards or that an air pollution episode exists pursuant to Article 21B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, the Commissioner shall cancel any permits issued under authority of this Article and shall suspend the issuance of any new permits.  (1981, c. 1100, s. 2; 2011-145, s. 13.25(w), (x).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-947 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 78 - Regulation of Open Fires.|§ 106-947 - Control of existing fires.

 106-947. Control of existing fires.(a) If a fire is set without a permit required by G.S. 106-942, 106-943, or 106-944, and is set in an area in which permits are prohibited or cancelled at the time the fire is set, the person responsible for setting the fire or causing the fire to be set shall immediately extinguish the fire or take such other action as directed by any forest ranger authorized to issue permits under G.S. 106-942(c). In the event that the person responsible does not immediately undertake efforts to extinguish the fire or take such other action as directed by the forest ranger, the Department may enter the property and take reasonable steps to extinguish or control the fire and the person responsible for setting the fire shall reimburse the Department for the expenses incurred by the Department. A showing that a fire is associated with land-clearing activities is prima facie evidence that the person undertaking the land clearing is responsible for setting the fire or causing the fire to be set.(b) If a fire requiring a permit under G.S. 106-942(c) is set without a permit and a forest ranger authorized to issue such permits determines that a permit would not have been issued for the fire at the time it was set, the person responsible for setting the fire or causing the fire to be set shall immediately take such action as the forest ranger directs to extinguish or control the fire. In the event the person responsible does not immediately undertake efforts to extinguish the fire or take such other action as directed by the forest ranger, the Department may enter the property and take reasonable steps to extinguish or control the fire and the person responsible for setting the fire shall reimburse the Department for the expenses incurred by the Department. A showing that a fire is associated with land-clearing activities is prima facie evidence that the person undertaking the land clearing is responsible for setting the fire or causing the fire to be set.(c) If a fire is set in accordance with a permit but the burning is taking place contrary to the conditions of the permit, any forest ranger with authority to issue permits in the area in question may order the permittee in writing to undertake the steps necessary to comply with the conditions of his permit. If the permittee is not making a reasonable effort to comply with the order, the forest ranger may enter the property and take reasonable steps to extinguish or control the fire and the permittee shall reimburse the Department for the expenses incurred by the Department.  (1981, c. 1100, s. 2; 2011-145, s. 13.25(w), (x).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-948 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 78 - Regulation of Open Fires.|§ 106-948 - Penalties.

 106-948. Penalties.Any person violating the provisions of this Article or of any permit issued under the authority of this Article shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. It is not a violation of this Article or any permit issued under the authority of this Article if a person unintentionally fails to comply with a setback requirement so long as the difference between the required setback and the actual setback is no more than five percent (5%) of the required setback. The penalties imposed by this section shall be separate and apart and not in lieu of any civil or criminal penalties which may be imposed by G.S. 143-215.114A or G.S. 143-215.114B. The penalties imposed are also in addition to any liability the violator incurs as a result of actions taken by the Department under G.S. 106-947.  (1981, c. 1100, s. 2; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1045, s. 11; 1993, c. 539, s. 835; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2011-145, s. 13.25(w), (x); 2011-394, s. 2(h).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-949 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 78 - Regulation of Open Fires.|§ 106-949 - Effect on other laws.

 106-949. Effect on other laws.This Article shall not be construed as affecting or abridging the lawful authority of local governments to pass ordinances relating to open burning within their boundaries. Nothing in this Article shall relieve any person from compliance with the provisions of Article 21B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes and regulations adopted thereunder. In the event that permits are required for open burning associated with land clearing under the authority of Article 21B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, the authority to issue such permits shall be delegated to forest rangers who are authorized to issue permits under G.S. 106-942(c).  (1981, c. 1100, s. 2; 2011-145, s. 13.25(w), (x).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-950 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 78 - Regulation of Open Fires.|§ 106-950 - Exempt fires; no permit fees.

 106-950. Exempt fires; no permit fees.(a) This Article does not apply to any fires started, or caused to be started, within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling house if the fire is confined (i) within an enclosure from which burning material may not escape or (ii) within a protected area upon which a watch is being maintained and which is provided with adequate fire protection equipment.(a1) Except in cases where the Commissioner has prohibited all open burning during periods of hazardous forest fire conditions or during air pollution episodes declared pursuant to Article 21B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, this Article does not apply to, and no air quality permit shall be required for, the burning of polyethylene agricultural plastic used in connection with agricultural operations related to the growing, harvesting, or maintenance of crops, when all of the following conditions apply:(1) The burning does not violate any State or federal ambient air quality standards.(2) The burning is conducted between an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset.(3) The fire is set back at least 250 feet from any paved public roadway and at least 500 feet from any dwelling, group of dwellings, commercial or institutional establishment, or other occupied structure not located on the property on which the burning is conducted.(4) The burning is conducted in a manner such that it does not constitute a public nuisance.(5) The burning is conducted by any of the following means:a. By professionally manufactured equipment solely for the purpose of plastic mulch burning or incineration and approved by the Commissioner.b. By a fire that is enclosed in a noncombustible container.c. By a fire that is restricted to a pile no greater than eight feet in diameter built upon ground cleared of all combustible material.(a2) Except in cases where the Commissioner has prohibited all open burning during periods of hazardous forest fire conditions or during air pollution episodes declared pursuant to Article 21B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, this Article does not apply to any fires started, or caused to be started, for cooking, warming, or ceremonial events, if the fire is confined (i) within an enclosure from which burning material may not escape or (ii) within a protected area upon which a watch is being maintained and which is provided with adequate fire protection equipment.(b) No charge shall be made for the granting of any permit required by this Article.  (1981, c. 1100, s. 2; 2011-145, s. 13.25(w); 2015-286, s. 4.39(a); 2017-102, s. 15.2; 2021-78, s. 3(a).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-955 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 79 - Firefighters on On-Call Status.|§ 106-955 - Definitions.

 106-955. Definitions.As used in this Article:(1) "Firefighter" means an employee of the North Carolina Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services who engages in fire suppression duties or engages in emergency response duties pursuant to G.S. 166A-19.77.(2) "Fire suppression duties" means involvement in on-site fire suppression, participation in Incident Management Team while it is mobilized, Operations Room duty during on-going fires or when required by high readiness plans, mop-up activities to secure fire sites, scouting and detecting forest fires, performance of standby duty, and any other activity that directly contributes to the detection, response to, and control of fires.  (1985, c. 757, s. 160(a); 1989, c. 727, s. 218(54); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2005-386, s. 1.6; 2011-145, s. 13.25(y), (z); 2013-155, s. 14.)
NC Gen Stat § 106-956 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 79 - Firefighters on On-Call Status.|§ 106-956 - On-call.

 106-956. On-call.(a) On-call is time during which a firefighter is required to be available to return to the duty station or respond to an emergency within 30 minutes. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall provide each firefighter in on-call status with an electronic communication device that makes the wearer accessible to the firefighter's duty station.(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, after 14 consecutive days that a firefighter is on duty, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall permit the firefighter to be off duty for two days so long as the firefighter gives the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services a means of contact where the firefighter can be reached. On the days the firefighter is permitted to be off duty, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may contact the firefighter only when there is a bona fide emergency.  (1985, c. 757, s. 160(a); 1989, c. 727, s. 218(55); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2011-145, s. 13.25(y), (z); 2013-155, s. 14.)
NC Gen Stat § 106-965 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 80 - North Carolina Prescribed Burning Act.|§ 106-965 - Legislative findings.

 106-965. Legislative findings.The General Assembly finds that prescribed burning of forestlands is a management tool that is beneficial to North Carolina's public safety, forest and wildlife resources, environment, and economy. The General Assembly finds that the following are benefits that result from prescribed burning of forestlands:(1) Prescribed burning reduces the naturally occurring buildup of vegetative fuels on forestlands, thereby reducing the risk and severity of wildfires and lessening the loss of life and property.(2) The State's ever-increasing population is resulting in urban development directly adjacent to fire-prone forestlands, referred to as a woodland-urban interface area. The use of prescribed burning in these woodland-urban interface areas substantially reduces the risk of wildfires that cause damage.(3) Many of North Carolina's natural ecosystems require periodic fire for their survival. Prescribed burning is essential to the perpetuation, restoration, and management of many plant and animal communities. Prescribed burning benefits game, nongame, and endangered wildlife species by increasing the growth and yield of plants that provide forage and an area for escape and brooding and that satisfy other habitat needs.(4) Forestlands are economic, biological, and aesthetic resources of statewide significance. In addition to reducing the frequency and severity of wildfires, prescribed burning of forestlands helps to prepare sites for replanting and natural seeding, to control insects and diseases, and to increase productivity.(5) Prescribed burning enhances the resources on public use lands, such as State and national forests, wildlife refuges, nature preserves, and game lands. Prescribed burning enhances private lands that are managed for wildlife refuges, nature preserves, and game lands. Prescribed burning enhances private lands that are managed for wildlife, recreation, and other purposes.As North Carolina's population grows, pressures resulting from liability issues and smoke complaints discourage or limit prescribed burning so that these numerous benefits to forestlands often are not attainable. By recognizing the benefits of prescribed burning and by adopting requirements governing prescribed burning, the General Assembly helps to educate the public, avoid misunderstandings, and reduce complaints about this valuable management tool.  (1999-121, s. 1; 2011-145, s. 13.25(aa).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-966 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 80 - North Carolina Prescribed Burning Act.|§ 106-966 - Definitions.

 106-966. Definitions.As used in this Article:(1) "Certified prescribed burner" means an individual who has successfully completed a certification program approved by the North Carolina Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.(2) "Prescribed burning" means the planned and controlled application of fire to naturally occurring vegetative fuels under safe weather and safe environmental and other conditions, while following appropriate precautionary measures that will confine the fire to a predetermined area and accomplish the intended management objectives.(3) "Prescription" means a written plan prepared by a certified prescribed burner for starting, controlling, and extinguishing a prescribed burning.  (1999-121, s. 1; 2011-145, s. 13.25(aa), (bb); 2013-155, s. 15.)
NC Gen Stat § 106-967 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 80 - North Carolina Prescribed Burning Act.|§ 106-967 - Immunity from liability.

 106-967. Immunity from liability.(a) Any prescribed burning conducted in compliance with G.S. 106-968 is in the public interest and does not constitute a public or private nuisance.(b) A landowner or the landowner's agent who conducts a prescribed burning in compliance with G.S. 106-968 shall not be liable in any civil action for any damage or injury caused by or resulting from smoke.(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), this section does not apply when a nuisance or damage results from a negligently or improperly conducted prescribed burning.  (1999-121, s. 1; 2011-145, s. 13.25(aa), (bb).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-969 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 80 - North Carolina Prescribed Burning Act.|§ 106-969 - Adoption of rules.

 106-969. Adoption of rules.The North Carolina Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may adopt rules that govern prescribed burning under this Article.  (1999-121, s. 1; 2011-145, s. 13.25(aa), (bb); 2013-155, s. 17.)
NC Gen Stat § 106-970 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 80 - North Carolina Prescribed Burning Act.|§ 106-970 - Exemption.

 106-970. Exemption.This Article does not apply when the Commissioner of Agriculture has cancelled burning permits pursuant to G.S. 106-946 or prohibited all open burning pursuant to G.S. 106-944.  (1999-121, s. 1; 2011-145, s. 13.25(aa), (bb).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-980 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 81 - Corporations for Protection and Development of Forests.|§ 106-980 - Private limited dividend corporations may be formed.

 106-980. Private limited dividend corporations may be formed.(a) In this Article, unless the context requires otherwise, "Department" means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Agriculture.(b) Three or more persons, who associate themselves by an agreement in writing for the purpose, may become a private limited dividend corporation to finance and carry out projects for the protection and development of forests and for such other related purposes as the Commissioner shall approve, subject to all the duties, restrictions and liabilities, and possessing all the rights, powers, and privileges, of corporations organized under the general corporation laws of the State of North Carolina, except where such provisions are in conflict with this Article.  (1933, c. 178, s. 1; 1973, c. 1262, s. 86; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1989, c. 727, s. 80; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 890, s. 4; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2011-145, s. 13.25(cc), (dd); 2018-113, s. 5(a).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-981 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 81 - Corporations for Protection and Development of Forests.|§ 106-981 - Manner of organizing.

 106-981. Manner of organizing.A corporation formed under this Article shall be organized and incorporated in the manner provided for organization of corporations under the general corporation laws of the State of North Carolina, except where such provisions are in conflict with this Article. The certificate of organization of any such corporation shall contain a statement that it is organized under the provisions of this Article and that it consents to be and shall be at all times subject to the rules and supervision of the Commissioner, and shall set forth as or among its purposes the protection and development of forests and the purchase, acquisition, sale, conveyance and other dealing in the same and the products therefrom, subject to the rules from time to time imposed by the Commissioner.  (1933, c. 178, s. 2; 1973, c. 1262, s. 86; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1989, c. 727, s. 81; 2011-145, s. 13.25(cc); 2018-113, s. 5(b).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-982 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 81 - Corporations for Protection and Development of Forests.|§ 106-982 - Directors.

 106-982. Directors.There shall not be less than three directors, one of whom shall always be a person designated by the Commissioner, which one need not be a stockholder.  (1933, c. 178, s. 3; 1973, c. 1262, s. 86; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1989, c. 727, s. 82; 2011-145, s. 13.25(cc); 2018-113, s. 5(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 106-983 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 106 - Agriculture|Article 81 - Corporations for Protection and Development of Forests.|§ 106-983 - Duties of supervision by Commissioner.

 106-983. Duties of supervision by Commissioner.Corporations formed under this Article shall be regulated by the Commissioner in the manner provided in this Article. Traveling and other expenses incurred by him in the discharge of the duties imposed upon him by this Article shall be charged to, and paid by, the particular corporation or corporations on account of which such expenses are incurred. His general expenses incurred in the discharge of such duties which cannot be fairly charged to any particular corporation or corporations shall be charged to, and paid by, all the corporations then organized and existing under this Article pro rata according to their respective stock capitalizations. The Commissioner shall:(1) Adopt rules to implement this Article and to protect and develop forests subject to its jurisdiction.(2) Order all corporations organized under this Article to do such acts as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of law and the rules adopted by the Commissioner, or to refrain from doing any acts in violation thereof.(3) Keep informed as to the general condition of all such corporations, their capitalization and the manner in which their property is permitted, operated or managed with respect to their compliance with all provisions of law and orders of the Commissioner.(4) Require every such corporation to file with the Commissioner annual reports and, if the Commissioner shall consider it advisable, other periodic and special reports, setting forth such information as to its affairs as the Commissioner may require.  (1933, c. 178, s. 4; 1973, c. 1262, s. 86; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1987, c. 827, s. 94; 1989, c. 727, s. 83; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2011-145, s. 13.25(cc), (dd).)