Last Updated on May 2, 2026 7:57 pm
The North Carolina Forest Service has lifted its ban on open burning for 81 of the state's 100 counties, effective 8 a.m. Sunday, May 3, 2026 — a move that includes Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Wilkes, Mitchell, and Alleghany counties.
The statewide ban on open burning had been in effect since March 28, when it was imposed due to hazardous forest fire conditions across North Carolina. The partial lifting of that ban does not apply to all counties. The ban remains in effect until further notice for Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes, and Union counties.
Residents in the 81 counties where the ban has been lifted must obtain a valid burn permit before conducting any open burning. All burn permits that were issued prior to the March 28 statewide ban were canceled when the ban went into effect and are no longer valid. New permits can be obtained from any authorized permitting agent or online at apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits.
The lifting of the state ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The local fire marshal retains authority to issue or lift a burn ban for fires within that 100-foot zone.
Locally, the Watauga County Fire Marshal's Office and the Town of Boone Fire Department lifted their local ban on outdoor burning within 100 feet of a dwelling on Friday, May 1. That action — which was separate from the state ban — allowed small recreational fires such as burn pits and campfires near residences. The local ban did not allow burning of brush or yard debris.
With the state ban now also being lifted for the region, residents in Watauga and surrounding High Country counties may resume open burning, including yard debris and brush burning, as long as a valid burn permit is obtained and conditions are safe. The 100-foot dwelling restriction for local ordinance purposes remains under the jurisdiction of local fire marshals.
