Prescribed Fire Overview

Prescribed fire is the planned use of fire under predetermined weather and fuel parameters to obtain specific management objectives; also known as "controlled" burning. Prescribed burning is a critical management tool that benefits North Carolina's forests, wildlife and environment, and also helps reduce the impact of wildfire hazards. Prescribed fire is especially important in North Carolina due to the large amount of land lying in the Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI). The N.C. General Assembly recognized the importance of prescribed burning in the N.C. Prescribed Burning Act (GS 106-80).

North Carolina Forest Service and it's partners train, plan and coordinate with local fire services before a prescribed fire is started, and ensure that all burning regulations are obeyed.