Burn Ban Lifted for 81 Counties

With the state-issued ban being lifted for 81 North Carolina counties, many of you are wondering about those campfires for upcoming camping trips.

If you are camping in a state park or other state managed camping area in one of the 81 counties where the state’s ban has been removed, campfires would now be allowed.

If you are camping in a privately owned or managed campground in one of the 81 counties where the state’s ban has been removed, the same would apply. Campfires would now be allowed as long as there were no local restrictions or permitting requirements to abide by. Check with the place you intend to camp before assuming a fire is allowed.

UPDATE: Fire restrictions for Pisgah, Nantahala, Uwharrie and Croatan have been lifted by the USDA Forest Service as of May 4, 2026.

If you are camping in a national forest anywhere in the state, campfires are not allowed outside of developed recreation sites. The USDA Forest Service enacted fire restrictions for all four national forests Wednesday, April 15. Until removed by the USDA Forest Service, those fire restrictions remain in effect for the Pisgah, Nantahala, Uwharrie and Croatan. For more information about the restrictions and what is allowed/not allowed: https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../fire-restrictions-all-four....

The N.C. Forest Service has lifted a ban on all open burning for 81 counties effective 8 a.m. Sunday, May 3. The statewide ban on open burning went into effect March 28 due to hazardous forest fire conditions, and the ban remains in effect 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.

The lifting of the burn ban in 81 counties does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The local fire marshal has authority to issue or lift a burn ban within those 100 feet.