NC Forest Service Lifts Burn Ban for Macon County Effective 8am Sunday, May 3rd

 RALEIGH – The N.C. Forest Service has lifted a ban on all open burning for 81 counties effective 8 a.m. Sunday, May 3. The statewide ban on open burning went into effect March 28 due to hazardous forest fire conditions, and the ban remains in effect for Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes and Union counties until further notice.  

“The recent rainfall has provided some relief and has moderated fire danger enough for us to lift the ban on open burning in 81 counties,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “However, we’re still in the thick of spring wildfire season when conditions can change quickly and frequently. We still need rain to move us forward with drought recovery, improving soil moisture and water levels. Be extremely vigilant with any outdoor burning if you’re in one of the 81 counties no longer under the state-issued ban. Make sure you have a valid burn permit, tools and a water source, and stay with your fire. If you’re in one of the 19 counties still under the state-issued burn ban, be patient and hold off on burning. We need more rain in your area to lift the ban. With the persistent drought, it’s important for all of us to use extreme caution when handling potential ignition sources such as machinery and motorized equipment. When in doubt, lean on your N.C. Forest Service county ranger’s office for guidance and best practices.”

The lifting of the burn ban in 81 counties does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The local fire marshal has authority to issue or lift a burn ban within those 100 feet.

As of 8 a.m. Sunday, May 3, burn permits are available in the counties no longer under the state’s ban on open burning. Residents in those counties can obtain a burn permit from any authorized permitting agent or online at https://apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits/.  All burn permits granted before the statewide burn ban were canceled when the ban became effective. To legally burn in the counties no longer under the state’s ban, a valid permit must be obtained.

Residents with questions regarding their specific county can contact their local N.C. Forest Service county ranger or county fire marshal’s office. To find contact information for your local NCFS county ranger, visit www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts.

To learn more about preparing for and preventing wildfires, visit www.preventwildfirenc.org.

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NC Forest Service Cancels Burn Permits, Issues Burn Ban Effective 6pm 03-28-2026

RALEIGH – Due to increased wildfire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide effective 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 until further notice.  

“With drought severity across the state, forecast fire weather and the potential for limited rainfall, it is critical to reduce the number of new fire starts,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Vegetative fuels will dry rapidly, and with the amount of fuel loading in the mountains and drought impacts statewide, a burn ban for all 100 counties is necessary to reduce the number of wildfires across our landscape. Please follow this burn ban to help reduce the risk for everyone.” 

Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning statewide, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted. Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire. 

The burn ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The local fire marshal has authority to issue a burn ban within those 100 feet.

Local fire departments and law enforcement officers are assisting the N.C. Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban. 

The N.C. Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions. Residents with questions regarding a specific county can contact their N.C. Forest Service county ranger or their county fire marshal’s office.   

Answers to FAQ 

Q: What is open burning? 

A: Open burning includes burning leaves, branches or other plant material. In all cases, burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material is illegal. 

Q: May I still use my grill or barbecue? 

A: Yes, if no other local ordinances prohibit their use. 

Q: Can I still use my fire pit or fireplace outdoors? 

A: More than 100 feet from an occupied dwelling, fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, and burning barrels are considered open burning and are subject to the burn ban. Within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, local government agencies have jurisdiction over open burning. All local outdoor burning bans are set independently. The N.C. Forest Service has advised county fire marshals of this ban, and they have been asked to also consider implementing a burn ban. Check with county fire marshals about local restrictions. 

Q: Can I have a campfire when I go camping? 

A: Campfires would be considered open burning and are not exempt from the burn ban. During a burn ban, portable gas stoves or grills are alternate methods for cooking food while camping. 

Q: Can I use fireworks during a burn ban? 

A: Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are prohibited during a burn ban and are not allowed in any county while the burn ban is in effect.

Q: How should I report a wildfire? 

A: Call 911 to report a wildfire. 

 

Q: How should I report a person who intentionally starts a wildfire? 

A: Call 911 to report a wildfire. 

 

Q: My local fire marshal has also issued a burn ban for my county. What does this mean? 

A: The burn ban issued by the N.C. Forest service does not apply to a fire within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. Local government agencies have jurisdiction over open burning within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The N.C. Forest Service has advised county fire marshals of the burning ban and has asked for their consideration of also implementing a burning ban. If a fire within a 100-foot area of a dwelling escapes containment, a North Carolina forest ranger may take reasonable steps to extinguish or control it. The person responsible for setting the fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire. 

Q: Are there other instances which impact open burning? 

A: Local ordinances and air quality regulations may impact open burning. For instance, outdoor burning is prohibited in areas covered by Code Orange or Code Red air quality forecasts. Learn more about air quality forecasts on the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s website.  

Q: What can I do to protect my house against the risk of wildfire?

A: Learn about wildfire risk assessments, preparedness and prevention plans on the following N.C. Forest Service webpages: Wildland Urban Interface and Resist Wildfire.

Fore more information, please visit https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/fire-control-and-prevention/sit-report 

#WNCscan #MaconTraffic #MaconSafety #2026wildfires

Saturday 03-28-2026

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N.C. Forest Service calls on the public to use best practices and common sense ahead of spring wildfire season

Photo ©Bobby Coggins, taken 11-28-2016 on Wayah Bald.

 RALEIGH, NC (February 23, 2026)

With North Carolina’s spring wildfire season arriving at a time when most of the state is experiencing moderate to severe drought, the N.C. Forest Service is urging the public to apply best practices and common sense with all outdoor fire, especially yard debris burns.

“With the recent rainfall combined with multiple winter storms earlier this year, /';some folks may not realize that most of North Carolina is still experiencing very dry conditions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Our state’s gradual descent into drought and prolonged dry conditions means wildfires can ignite more easily, burn more intensely and spread quicker. The best defense against wildfires will always be to prevent them from starting.”

Escaped yard debris burns, largely due to carelessness, continue to be the leading cause of wildfires across the state, accounting for nearly half of all wildfires in North Carolina. In general, human activity is responsible for 99% of wildfires, and spring weather tends to draw people outdoors to work in their yards with many choosing to burn as a method to dispose of leaves, limbs and other yard debris.

“A fire can escape in a matter of seconds, especially on warm days when winds are gusty,” Troxler added. “This means you never leave a fire unattended until it is completely out and cold.”

Other forms of human caused wildfires stem from machine and vehicle use, dragging tow chains, arson and escaped campfires.

Western North Carolina counties that suffered substantial forest damage during Hurricane Helene remain especially vulnerable to wildfires due to dead and dying timber contributing to an excessive debris and fuel load.

Before starting an outdoor fire, contact your local NCFS county ranger’s office. For safe burning practices to help prevent wildfire, the NCFS offers the following guidance:

• Check local burning laws. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours. Others forbid it entirely.
• Make sure you have a valid permit. You can obtain a burn permit at any N.C. Forest Service office or authorized permitting agent, or online at www.ncforestservice.gov/burnpermits.
• Keep an eye on the weather. Don’t burn on dry, windy days.
• Local fire officials can recommend a safe way to burn debris. Don’t pile vegetation on the ground. Instead, place it in a cleared area and contain it in a screened receptacle away from overhead branches and wires.
• Be sure you are fully prepared before burning. To control the fire, you will need a hose, bucket, steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire. Keep a phone nearby, too.
• Never use kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel or other flammable liquids to speed up debris burning.
• Stay with your fire until it is completely out. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
• These same tips apply to campfires and grills as well. Douse burning charcoal briquettes or campfires thoroughly with water. Drown all embers, not just the red ones. When soaked, stir the coals and soak them again. Make sure everything is wet and that embers are cold to the touch. If you do not have water, mix enough dirt or sand with the embers to extinguish the fire, being careful not to bury the fire. Never dump hot ashes or coals into a wooded area.

The public is reminded to never fly a drone near, around or over a wildfire. Firefighting aircraft that respond to wildfires fly low in support of ground personnel. Drones can pose a serious threat to pilots and public safety. A drone that disrupts air operations also puts firefighters, residents and property at risk of loss to wildfire.

Where there’s fire, there’s smoke, and if you live in an area where wildfire risk is high, staying smoke-ready can be critical to personal health and well-being. Take steps now to prepare for wildfire smoke. This is especially important for smoke sensitive individuals including children, active people, older adults and people with heart or lung disease such as asthma. Being prepared means knowing where to find information about air quality and utilizing the air quality index. Use resources like www.ncair.org, https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/ and www.airnow.gov.

To learn more about preparing for and preventing wildfires, visit www.preventwildfirenc.org.

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