Burn bans in North Carolina

No county-level burn ban is currently reported by N.C. Forest Service for North Carolina. Municipal rules within a county may still apply.

In North Carolina the Commissioner of Agriculture, advised by the N.C. Forest Service, issues and lifts burn bans — either for named counties or statewide. A state ban cancels all burn permits for open burning for as long as it is in force. Separately, local fire marshals and city ordinances can keep their own restrictions in place even after the state ban is lifted.

Bans are issued by county officials and typically stay in effect until conditions improve or the order expires. Some counties set explicit expiration dates; others leave a ban open-ended until lifted. Check each county's page for the expiration listed on the current order.

Violating a state burn ban is a misdemeanor carrying a $100 fine plus court costs of around $183, and anyone who starts a fire can be held liable for the cost of putting it out. Burning within 500 feet of woodland protected by the Forest Service without a permit is separately unlawful under N.C.G.S. Chapter 106, Article 78.