Officials are reminding college basketball fans at the University of North Carolina that bonfires are prohibited on the main street adjoining the campus.
The town is stressing ahead of Monday night's national championship game that open fires on the town's commercial street are illegal and dangerous. Police will be on the watch Monday for fans trying to cart combustible materials into downtown Chapel Hill.
If UNC wins the game Monday night, officials will shutdown Franklin Street to regular traffic, city officials said in a statement.
Chapel Hill officials said Sunday two people were injured after about 12,000 people rushed Franklin Street following UNC-Chapel Hill's victory late Saturday in the men's basketball NCAA semifinal game. The party continued into Sunday morning, when regular traffic resumed through downtown Chapel Hill.
Meanwhile, Governor Roy Cooper is putting some North Carolina treats on the line in a friendly wager with Washington State's governor over the outcome of tonight's NCAA men’s basketball championship.
UNC Chapel Hill makes its second consecutive appearance in the final against first-time finalist Gonzaga.
Cooper will owe Washington Governor Jay Inslee barbecue pork from Winterville, Cheerwine, from Salisbury, and North Carolina sweet potato products if the Bulldogs prevail. If the Tar Heels win, Inslee will owe Cooper Washington-roasted coffee, smoked salmon, Washington apples, and locally made chocolates.
The championship game is being played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Tip-off is tonight at 9:20 p.m.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
