The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality is reminding residents and businesses that burning trash, metal, plastic, or any other man-made materials outdoors is illegal under state law. The agency emphasizes that open burning is only permitted in limited circumstances and only for natural vegetative materials such as leaves, limbs, and yard debris.
“If it doesn’t grow, don’t burn it,” the department stated in its announcement regarding regulations during the summer and fall burning season. The open burning rule, which is the state’s oldest air quality regulation, outlines what can be burned outdoors and when.
According to the rule, residential yard waste and commercial land clearing burns are allowed only between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., with no new vegetation added after 6 p.m. Burning is permitted only when the air quality forecast is Code Green or Code Yellow; it is prohibited on Code Orange, Red, or Purple days. Residents are advised to check their county’s air quality forecast through the online Air Quality Portal.
Yard waste must come from a private residence and be burned on-site. Burning yard waste from other locations is not allowed. Additionally, this type of burning can occur only if local ordinances permit it and if public pickup of yard debris is unavailable.
Campfires, outdoor cooking fires, and bonfires are generally permissible unless restricted by local ordinances or temporary burn bans. Only natural vegetation such as firewood may be burned in these cases, and fires must be controlled at all times.
Commercial land clearing operations also face restrictions under the open burning rule. Vegetation should typically originate from the site where it will be burned; transporting land clearing waste for off-site burning is allowed up to four times per year under specific conditions. Kerosene or diesel fuel may be used to start a fire for land clearing purposes but no other man-made materials are permitted in these burns. Burn piles must be located at least 500 feet from occupied structures and at least 250 feet from public roads when prevailing winds blow toward those roads. Wind direction information can be found via the National Weather Service.
The Division of Air Quality enforces these rules alongside local law enforcement agencies, firefighters, fire marshals, and the North Carolina Forest Service. Violators risk fines up to $25,000 per violation per day. Complaints about illegal open burning can be submitted to regional DEQ offices or anonymously online.
Careless debris burning remains the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina. The North Carolina Forest Service may require an open burning permit before certain fires are started—especially in protected areas—but permits are not issued by the Division of Air Quality itself. Permits can be obtained through the N.C. Forest Service’s online application (https://www.ncforestservice.gov/burnpermit) or by contacting local service offices.
Local governments may enforce stricter rules than those set by state law; residents should consult their local officials about any additional restrictions that might apply in their area.
There are exceptions within state law for special burns such as firefighter training exercises and prescribed burns conducted for land management purposes. More details about these regulations—and a video overview—are available on DEQ’s Open Burning website (https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/open-burning).
For assistance in Spanish or another language regarding these regulations, individuals can call 919-707-8446 or email Shawn.Taylor@deq.nc.gov.
