A statewide burn ban is in effect due to increased fire risk across North Carolina.

The ban went into effect Friday, March 21, at 8 a.m. and will last until further notice, the N.C. Forest Service said.

“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,” Troxler said in a news release. 

Under North Carolina law, the ban does the following:

  • Prohibits open burning in all 100 counties
  • Cancels all active burning permits and suspends the issuance of any new permits until the ban is lifted
  • Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs
  • Anyone responsible for setting fires could 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,” according to the Forest Service. “A local fire marshal has authority to issue a burn ban within that 100 feet space.”

For more information about the ban and how to report any wildfires, click here.

The N.C. Forest Service is being assisted by local fire and law enforcement departments to enforce the ban.

Anyone in need of additional information specific to their county can contact their N.C. Forest Service county ranger or their county’s fire marshal’s office.

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The dry conditions have caused multiple wildfires across the state to spread. The biggest fires are in Polk County, where officials say three wildfires burning in the county have scorched more 2,000 acres in and around Green River Game Land area as of Monday morning.

As of Monday morning, officials say that the two worst wildfires, the Deep Cove and Black Woods fires, are 0% contained. The smallest of the three, the Fish Hook Fire, is 50% contained.

As of Sunday night, residents along Lady Slipper Trail, Green River Cove Road, Big Hungry Road, Spurgeon Cove Lane, English Heifer Cove Road, Deer Trail and Scarlets Mountain Road are under mandatory evacuation, according to officials with N.C. Forest Service. 

The state drought monitor released an update Thursday showing most of the state under dry to moderate drought conditions.