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Burn Ban Still in Effect for Catawba County

Burn Ban Still in Effect for Catawba County

Published: April 01, 2025

The burn ban which went into effect on March 21, 2025 is still in effect despite the rain this week. The ban prohibits all open burning across Catawba County, including within 100 feet of a dwelling. The ban applies to all open burning, regardless of whether a burning permit has been issued.

Since the burn ban went into effect, Catawba County has responded to 37 grass/woods fires and 147 illegal burns.

The open burning ban is authorized by the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office per the 2018 North Carolina Fire Code Section 307 to prevent the potential for increased wildfires due to extremely dry weather conditions in Catawba County.

The local burn ban follows an open burning ban issued on March 21, 2025 by the North Carolina Forest Service. Because of increased fire risk, the North Carolina Forest Service has banned all open burning and canceled all burning permits for Catawba County. The issuance of new burning permits has also been suspended.

Open burning includes burning leaves, branches and other plant material in addition to the use of recreational fires, bonfires, and outdoor fireplaces. The ban does not apply to cooking fires such as gas, pellet, charcoal grills, or outdoor cookers and smokers. In all cases, it is illegal to burn trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics, or other non-vegetative materials.

The ban will remain in effect until further notice. Local fire departments and law enforcement agencies are assisting the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office and the North Carolina Forest Service with enforcing the ban, which carries a fine plus court costs for violations.

Questions about the local ban can be directed to Catawba County Emergency Services by calling (828) 465-8230. For more information about the North Carolina Forest Service’s regional open burning ban, including deployment of the service’s Fire Prevention Education Team to Western North Carolina, visit http://ncforestservice.gov/ and click on the News page.