During periods of hazardous forest fire conditions or during air pollution episodes declared pursuant to Article 21B of Chapter 143 of the N.C. Gen. Stat., the Commissioner is authorized to prohibit all open burning regardless of whether a permit is required under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-942 or N.C. Gen. Stat. § 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).)