Open Burn Ban in Effect
Statewide Open Burn Ban in Effect
Effective Saturday, March 28, 2026, the North Carolina Forest Service has issued a statewide open burning ban due to adverse atmospheric conditions, including extreme fire danger conditions that are forecasted, including low humidity, gusty winds, and dry fuels.
The ban applies to all open burning, including yard waste, debris, and land-clearing burns. Fires in pits, barbecue grills, cooking fires, warming fires, or chimenea and outdoor stoves smaller than three feet in diameter are exempt. This ban will remain in effect until atmospheric conditions have improved. It is never legal to burn anything other than naturally occurring vegetation.
For validation of permits and complaints on open burning 100 feet or more from structures, PLEASE CONTACT THE NC FOREST SERVICE AT 828-667-5211 OR 919-857-4801.
A Reminder: Open burning is never permitted within municipal limits.
