March 26, 2025
State and local open burn bans issued on Friday March 21st remain in affect until further notice.
Below are the press releases from the N.C. Forest Service, Caldwell County, Burke County Fire Marshalls Office, Catawba County, as well as a statement from the Alexander County Assistant Fire Marshall.
N.C. Forest Service Burn Ban
Due to increased fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide effective 8 a.m. Friday, March 21, until further notice.
“It is spring wildfire season in North Carolina, and we are seeing wildfire activity increase due to dry conditions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With these ongoing conditions, a statewide burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of wildfires starting and spreading quickly. Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state. It is imperative that folks adhere to this burn ban until further notice.”
Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in all 100 counties in this instance, 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. A local fire marshal has authority to issue a burn ban within that 100 feet space.
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.
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Create at least 30 feet of defensible – clean and green – space around your home.
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Clear trash and dead vegetation from your front and backyards.
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Remove leaves and debris from roof and gutters.
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Use extreme caution when grilling.
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Properly discard cigarettes and fireplace ashes.
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Call 9-1-1 if you see smoke or fire in your area.
Burke County Residents / Fire & Emergency Services Personnel
Effective 8:00 AM, March 21, 2025 – NC Department of Agriculture – The North Carolina Forest Service will
implement a Statewide Burn Ban and cancel ALL previously issued open burning permits until further notice.
The Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office will concurrently implement a Local Burn Ban for all open burning in
Burke County. Residents in municipalities should check local ordinances before open burning.
Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in all 100 counties in this instance, regardless of
whether a permit was previously issued. 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 Statewide Burn Ban implemented by the North Carolina Forest Service applies to areas beyond 100 feet
of an occupied dwelling. The Local Burn Ban implemented by the Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office applies to
areas within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling.
Local Burn Ban includes but is not limited to – Bonfires, firepits, chimeneas, yard debris, land clearing, or ANY
other type of open burning.
Local Burn Ban excludes – Outdoor gas cooking appliances, enclosed cookers, charcoal grills, or smokers.
Contact the Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office at 828-764-9320 or by email at fire@burkenc.org with any
questions.
Burn Ban in Effect for Catawba County
Effective March 21st, 2025, at 8:00 am, the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office prohibits all open burning across Catawba County, including within 100 feet of a dwelling. The ban applies to all open burning, regardless of whether a burning permit has been issued.
The open burning ban is authorized by the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office per the 2018 North Carolina Fire Code Section 307 to prevent the potential for increased wildfires due to extremely dry weather conditions in Catawba County.
The local burn ban follows an open burning ban issued on March 21st, 2025 by the North Carolina Forest Service. Because of increased fire risk, the North Carolina Forest Service has banned all open burning and canceled all burning permits for Catawba County. The issuance of new burning permits has also been suspended.
Open burning includes burning leaves, branches and other plant material in addition to the use of recreational fires, bonfires, and outdoor fireplaces. The ban does not apply to cooking fires such as gas, pellet, charcoal grills, or outdoor cookers and smokers. In all cases, it is illegal to burn trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics, or other non-vegetative materials.
The ban will remain in effect until further notice. Local fire departments and law enforcement agencies are assisting the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office and the North Carolina Forest Service with enforcing the ban, which carries a fine plus court costs for violations.
Questions about the local ban can be directed to Catawba County Emergency Services by calling (828) 465-8230. For more information about the North Carolina Forest Service’s regional open burning ban, including deployment of the service’s Fire Prevention Education Team to Western North Carolina, visit http://ncforestservice.gov/ and click on the News page.
Alexander County Fire Marshall’s Office
The Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a local open Burn Ban due to extreme fire danger conditions throughout Alexander County, effective Friday, March 21 at 5:00 p.m. The purpose of this burn ban is to protect life and property.
The burn ban will apply to all outside burning that is being conducted within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, including but not limited to fire pits, grills, leaf and yard debris, etc. The burning of any material other than natural vegetation is illegal regardless of burn ban status.
Violators of the local burn ban will be subject to a $50 citation from the Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office for the first offense, which doubles per subsequent offense.
In addition, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning outside of 100 feet, and has canceled all burning permits until further notice.
Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, 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.
Pursuant to the North Carolina State Fire Prevention Code 2018 Edition (307.1.1 Prohibited Opening Burning), open burning shall be prohibited when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous.
If you have questions regarding the burn ban, please contact the Alexander County Fire Marshal’s office at 828-352-7706.
For NCFS open burning inquiries, contact the Alexander County Ranger at 828-310-8466.