SOUTHPORT, NC (WECT) – Southport officials are answering questions about a possible tree clearcut near the Indigo Phase II/Waterway development site.
According to the city administration, the removal of the trees is part of the creation of the district-owned and state-approved rainwater retention basin.
“Southport emergency responders are aware of the controlled burn occurring near the Indigo Plantation. Please note that the development falls under the Brunswick County Development Rules and Regulations as Indigo Phase II/Waterway has not yet been annexed into the city,” city officials wrote on the city's Facebook page.
Controlled burning is the jurisdiction of Brunswick County and, pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 106, Chapter 106, Article 78, the county does not have the authority to issue or deny burn permits for certain types of burns.
According to North Carolina General Statute 106-942, municipalities have the discretion to regulate burn bans. The county must operate within its authority for the unincorporated areas of Brunswick County and not outside the general legal boundaries.
To speak with the NC Forest Service about fires larger than 5 acres, view the regional and district office directory here.
Anyone who has questions or needs assistance can contact the NC Division of Environmental Quality at 910-796-7215 or on their website.
For more information about open fires and to contact Firefighter Andrew Thompson, visit the Brunswick County website.
Copyright 2025 WECT. All rights reserved.