All four Unifour county fire marshal’s have issued local burning bans. Below are the press releases with details from each office.
Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office Press Release:
The Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a local open burn ban because of extreme fire danger. The ban takes effect Saturday, March 28, at 6:00 p.m. and applies to all of Alexander County. The N.C. Forest Service has also canceled all burning permits statewide.
Under the North Carolina State Fire Prevention Code, open burning is prohibited when conditions make fires hazardous. Violators face a $50 fine for the first offense, which doubles for each additional violation.
Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office: 828-352-7706.
Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office Press Release:
EFFECTIVE 6:00 PM, MARCH 28, 2026 – 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.
Statewide Burn Ban – Implemented by the North Carolina Forest Service and applies to ALL open burning in areas beyond 100 feet of an occupied dwelling.
Local Burn Ban – Implemented by the Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office and applies to ALL open burning in areas within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The Local Burn Ban excludes attended outdoor gas cooking appliances, enclosed cookers, charcoal grills, or smokers.
Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office: (828) 764-9324
Caldwell County Fire Marshalls Office Press Release:
The Caldwell County Fire Marshal has issued a burn ban effective today, Friday, March 21, 2025, at 8 a.m. This ban coincides with the burn ban issued by the NC Forest Service, which also goes into effect at 8 a.m. today.
Under the county’s ban, Caldwell County residents are not allowed to have open fires of any type, including campfires, bonfires, yard or leaf burning, etc., and residents should note that burning trash is illegal. The only exception to the ban is cooking on/in outdoor charcoal, pellet or gas grills provided precautions are taken to prevent fire from escaping those appliances.
Caldwell County Fire Marshal’s Office: (828) 757-1277
Catawba County Fire Marshall Office Press Release:
Effective at 6:00 p.m. on March 28, 2026, the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a countywide prohibition on all open burning. The ban applies to all areas of Catawba County, including locations within 100 feet of any structure, and remains in effect regardless of previously issued burning permits.
The burn ban is enacted under the authority of the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office in accordance with Section 307 of the 2018 North Carolina Fire Code. The measure is intended to reduce the risk of wildfire ignition and spread amid ongoing dry weather conditions affecting the region.
This local action follows a broader burn ban issued the same day by the North Carolina Forest Service, which similarly prohibits all open burning, cancels existing permits, and suspends the issuance of new permits due to elevated fire danger.
Open burning, as defined under the ban, includes the burning of yard debris such as leaves, branches, and other vegetative matter, as well as recreational fires, bonfires, and the use of outdoor fireplaces. The restriction does not extend to cooking-related fires, including the use of gas, pellet, or charcoal grills, as well as outdoor cookers and smokers. However, the burning of non-vegetative materials—including trash, construction debris, tires, plastics, and paper products—always remains illegal.
The ban will remain in place until further notice. Enforcement efforts will be carried out by local fire departments and law enforcement agencies in coordination with the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office and the North Carolina Forest Service. Violations may result in fines and applicable court costs.
Residents seeking further details regarding the statewide burn ban and related fire prevention initiatives can be found on the North Carolina Forest Service website at
http://ncforestservice.gov under the News section or contact your local fire department.
Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office: (828) 465-8230
