RALEIGH, NC — State officials say North Carolina’s wildfire threat remains high, with more than 550 fires reported since the statewide burn ban took effect late last month.
Since the state-issued ban on open burning was enacted March 28, 554 wildfires have burned more than 2,200 acres across North Carolina, according to state officials. With little rainfall and no significant improvement expected over the next 7–10 days, the burn ban and enforcement actions will remain in place until further notice.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said ongoing drought conditions and dry weather continue to create dangerous fire conditions statewide.
“Even with a burn ban in place we are continuing to see significant wildfire activity across the state because of conditions,” Troxler said. “Persistent drought, warmer temperatures, low humidity and no rainfall mean fires start quickly, spread quickly and burn intensely, which makes them harder to contain, control and extinguish.”
Officials say the majority of fires are not caused by natural events. Of the 554 wildfires reported since March 28, only four were caused by lightning. Preliminary data shows 152 fires were determined to be human-caused, while the remaining fires are listed as unknown or undetermined, pending further investigation.
Enforcement efforts are also increasing. Since the burn ban took effect, 150 citations have been issued for illegal burning across the state.
The North Carolina Forest Service is continuing to monitor conditions while responding to wildfires and enforcing the burn ban. Officials say limiting new fires is critical to ensuring resources remain available during the extended dry period.
Residents are urged to follow the burn ban and take additional precautions, including:
- Avoiding open burning
- Using caution with equipment and machinery
- Being mindful of vehicles parked on dry grass
- Properly disposing of cigarettes and smoking materials
- Avoiding any activity that could create sparks
While some activities — such as equipment use or vehicle-related sparks — are not classified as open burning and are not covered by the ban, officials warn they can still start fires under current high-risk conditions.
Authorities encourage residents to remain vigilant and report any wildfire activity immediately as dry conditions continue across the state.
