Effective at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, the N.C. Forest Service reinstates the requirement for open burning permits in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. The requirement for open burning permits was waived Oct. 12 through the authorization of House Bill 149, the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024.

Our Fuels Removal Program is back! It reduces wildfire risk by providing a roadside debris removal service for North Carolina communities and homeowners … and it’s a free service! This program is administered by the N.C. Forest Service and funded by the North Carolina Community Firewise Mitigation Grant. Applications for spring 2025 pickup are due Jan. 15, 2025.

Ninety-nine percent of wildfires are the result of human activity such as backyard burning and campfires. That means most of North Carolina’s wildfires are avoidable. Escaped yard debris burns are often due to carelessness. Someone burns during poor weather conditions, they turn their backs, and that’s all it takes.

The N.C. Forest Service isn't just protecting forests. We're protecting futures. By working hand in hand with the citizens of North Carolina, we ensuring our forests stay healthy and productive. Will you help us keep working forests working for future generations to enjoy?

The N.C. Forest Service manages several state forests across North Carolina. Many of them are open to the public and offer a variety of educational and recreational experiences. Select the State Forests dropdown above to learn more about a state forest near you.