Hoke County is one of dozens of counties in North Carolina now under a burning ban due to potentially hazardous fire conditions.

North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Steven Troxler issued the order for about one-quarter of the state’s 100 counties, due to ongoing dry conditions that raise the risk of small fires burning out of control. Hoke’s neighboring counties are all included in the burn ban, along with others in the southeastern and eastern areas of the state.

The burn ban revoked all burning permits and prohibits opening burning. The ban went into effect Monday at noon.

Raeford City Fire Marshal Terry Tapp said local firefighters have been busy in recent weeks with grass fires and field fires, due to the dry conditions. A few of the fires have caused damage to homes, he said.