North Carolina Lifts Open Burning Ban for 81 Counties Effective 8AM Sunday May 3 but Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Gaston and 16 Other Counties Remain Under Restriction
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — The North Carolina Forest Service has lifted its statewide open burning ban for 81 counties effective 8:00 AM Sunday, May 3, 2026, following recent rainfall that moderated fire danger conditions. However, 19 counties including Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Gaston, Guilford, Forsyth, Iredell, Rowan and Davidson remain under the state-issued burn ban until further notice.
The Burn Ban in These 19 Counties Remains Fully in Effect
The open burning ban first implemented on March 28, 2026 due to hazardous forest fire conditions has not been lifted for the following counties:
- Alamance
- Anson
- Cabarrus
- Chatham
- Davidson
- Davie
- Forsyth
- Gaston
- Guilford
- Iredell
- Mecklenburg
- Montgomery
- Moore
- Randolph
- Rockingham
- Rowan
- Stanly
- Stokes
- Union
Residents in these 19 counties must continue to hold off on any outdoor burning. More rainfall is needed in these areas before the ban can be reconsidered.
81 Counties Can Now Burn With a Valid Permit
For the 81 counties where the ban has been lifted, open burning is now permitted effective 8:00 AM Sunday, May 3 but only with a valid burn permit. All burn permits issued before the statewide ban went into effect were canceled when the ban began. New permits must be obtained before any burning takes place.
Burn permits are available from any authorized permitting agent or online at apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits. The lifting of the ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling and the local fire marshal retains authority over burning in that zone.
What You Need Before You Burn
- Valid burn permit
- Tools on hand
- Water source nearby
- Stay with your fire at all times
The ban does not apply to fires within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The local fire marshal has authority over burning in that zone.
Quick Reference
| Status | Counties |
|---|---|
| Ban lifted | 81 counties statewide |
| Ban still active | 19 counties including Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Forsyth |
| Effective date | 8:00 AM Sunday, May 3, 2026 |
| Permit required | Yes, new permit mandatory |
Find Your Local NC Forest Service County Ranger
Residents with questions about their specific county’s burn status can contact their local NC Forest Service county ranger or county fire marshal’s office. Contact information for all NCFS county rangers is available at ncforestservice.gov/contacts.
Caution Still Required Statewide Despite Partial Lifting
The partial lifting of the ban does not signal an end to fire danger across North Carolina. The state remains in the middle of spring wildfire season, when conditions can change quickly. Residents in the 81 counties where burning is now allowed are urged to have a valid permit, tools and a water source on hand, and to stay with their fire at all times.
Drought conditions persist across portions of the state, making extreme caution necessary when handling any potential ignition sources including machinery and motorized equipment. For more information on preparing for and preventing wildfires, visit preventwildfirenc.org.
Stay with CabarrusWeekly.com for continuing updates on burn ban status across Cabarrus County and North Carolina.
