Old North News

The North Carolina Forest Service announced that the statewide ban on open burning will be lifted starting at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2. The ban, which began on March 21, was put in place due to dangerous forest fire conditions.

“We’ve received some well-timed, much-needed rain over the last couple days which has helped reduce fire danger, allowing us to lift burn ban restrictions across the state,” stated Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. He added, “However, we are still in the midst of spring wildfire season and our recent wildfire activity, especially in Western North Carolina, is a reminder to remain vigilant about burning safely and responsibly.”

The lift on the burn ban does not apply to fires ignited within 100 feet of an occupied residence. In these cases, the local fire marshal holds the authority to issue or lift burn bans.

Starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, burn permits will be available across the state. Residents can secure a permit from any authorized agent or online. Any permits issued before the ban were revoked and residents must obtain a new, valid permit.

For county-specific inquiries, residents are directed to contact their local N.C. Forest Service county ranger or county fire marshal’s office. Contact details for local NCFS county rangers can be found on www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts.