Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Camden, Carteret, Caswell, Catawba, Cherokee, Chowan, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gates, Graham, Granville, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Martin, McDowell, Mitchell, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Person, Pitt, Polk, Richmond, Robeson, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Vance, Wake, Warren, Washington, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, Yadkin and Yancey. This becomes effective at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 3, 2026.
The state-issued ban on open burning will remain in place for Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes and Union counties until further notice.
Removal of Burning Restrictions for 81 Counties
Monday, 04 May 2026 10:56MEMORANDUM - see official memo and map
Date: May 2, 2026
To: All North Carolina Forest Service Districts
From: Greg Hicks – Assistant Commissioner / State Forester
RE: Removal of Burning Restrictions for 81 Counties
To: All North Carolina Forest Service Districts
From: Greg Hicks – Assistant Commissioner / State Forester
RE: Removal of Burning Restrictions for 81 Counties
Due to recent precipitation, greening up of forest vegetation and improved humidity levels, I have rescinded the restriction on open burning for the following 81 North Carolina counties:
By Direction Of:
Steve Troxler, Commissioner
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Steve Troxler, Commissioner
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services