Most of North Carolina can start lighting controlled outdoor burns again at 8 a.m. Sunday, but Cabarrus County and a cluster of its neighbors are still stuck under state and local fire restrictions. Fire officials are urging residents in those holdout counties to keep the matches put away and to avoid anything that throws sparks.
The N.C. Forest Service said in a press release that it is lifting the statewide ban for 81 counties effective 8 a.m. Sunday, May 3, after recent rainfall reduced fire danger, according to the N.C. Department of Agriculture. Officials are reminding people that spring wildfire season is still in full swing and that conditions can change quickly, so even where burning is allowed, caution around outdoor fire is still the rule.
Counties Still Under The Ban
Nineteen counties remain under the state ban, including Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes and Union, local outlets reported. Residents in these counties are being told to wait for further notice from local fire officials before attempting any open burning, WITN noted.
Cabarrus County Officials Urge Caution
In Cabarrus County, fire officials are keeping the lid on outdoor burning for now. Cabarrus County Fire Services posted on Facebook that the county will stay under the state and local burn bans "until further notice" and asked residents to "not burn and limit spark producing activities," per the department's message on social media. That guidance reflects the authority of local fire marshals to set tighter rules within municipalities or within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The county is steering residents to its social media and other local channels for the latest updates, noting that those posts are still the fastest way to find out what is allowed.
Permits And Safety Steps
In counties where the state ban has been lifted, new burn permits are available starting at 8 a.m. Sunday, and all permits issued before the March 28 statewide ban are canceled. Residents can get a permit from an authorized agent or online at the state's burn-permit portal, apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits, and are advised to keep tools and a water source close by while tending any fire. As the department put it, "The recent rainfall has provided some relief," a caveat officials say does not mean the wildfire season is over, the N.C. Department of Agriculture added.
If You're Unsure, Check Local Contacts
If you are not sure what is allowed where you live, state officials say to contact your N.C. Forest Service county ranger or your county fire marshal for guidance, and note that county contact information is available on the agency's website. Local departments and media have been posting county-specific changes and reminders as conditions evolve, FOX Carolina reported. Officials also warn that anyone responsible for an escaped burn may face fines or be held liable for suppression costs.
