As North Carolina approaches its fall wildfire season, the N.C. Forest Service is urging residents to take measures to protect their homes and communities from wildfire risks.
“Wildfire prevention and risk reduction are two important areas that each of us have the ability to directly impact,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Sometimes a wildfire is inevitable due to circumstances beyond our control such as lightning strikes or downed powerlines. However, most of our wildfires are avoidable as human activity continues to be responsible for more than 99% of all wildfire causes.”
The state typically sees increased wildfire activity from October through early December. According to data from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, the N.C. Forest Service responded to nearly 5,600 wildfires that burned over 34,000 acres. Common causes include backyard debris burning, machine and vehicle use, arson, and escaped campfires.
“We’ve just surpassed the one-year mark since Hurricane Helene unleashed significant devastation on so many of our citizens and natural resources,” Troxler added. “Being prepared for wildfire is more important than ever, especially in Western North Carolina where more than 800,000 acres of forestland were damaged, leaving substantial fuel on the ground. Please do your part to prevent and prepare for wildfires.”
To reduce fire hazards around homes, the N.C. Forest Service recommends clearing flammable materials such as pine needles and dead leaves from roofs and gutters; storing away outdoor furniture cushions and decorations; screening windows; raking leaves at least five feet from structures; trimming shrubs or branches close to buildings; removing combustible items within 30 feet of homes; and ensuring all openings are sealed before evacuating if needed.
For those conducting outdoor burns, the agency stresses obtaining a valid burn permit—available at local offices or online at https://apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits/—and never burning on dry or windy days. Fires should be kept small and monitored with water sources nearby. The use of flammable liquids like gasoline is discouraged. Campfires should be fully extinguished with water or dirt before being left unattended.
Smoke preparedness is also highlighted as important for health reasons—especially among children, older adults, active people, and those with heart or lung conditions like asthma. Residents are encouraged to monitor air quality through resources such as www.ncair.org, https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/, and www.airnow.gov.
Further information about wildfire prevention can be found at www.preventwildfirenc.org.
