Dry conditions have forced postponement of a multi-county fire drill in Weldon.

The 32-hour drill was scheduled to begin Saturday and end at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Weldon Fire Chief Rusty Bolt said conditions are so dry the area is nearing a burn ban.

Despite multiple firefighters being at the scene, the fire department opted to hold the drill on January 29. Cinders could fly in the air and cause a fire elsewhere. “Right now a cigarette could start a woods fire and I’m not going to take that chance,” Bolt said.

The drill was to help firefighters become familiar with incident command and several other areas putting out fires.

The exercise was to be held at 121 Watkins Drive in the Weldon Industrial Park where a huge hill of palettes were to be burned.