Townsville Fire & EMS

05/03/2026

RALEIGH – 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 recent rainfall has provided some relief and has moderated fire danger enough for us to lift the ban on open burning in 81 counties,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “However, we’re still in the thick of spring wildfire season when conditions can change quickly and frequently. We still need rain to move us forward with drought recovery, improving soil moisture and water levels. Be extremely vigilant with any outdoor burning if you’re in one of the 81 counties no longer under the state-issued ban. Make sure you have a valid burn permit, tools and a water source, and stay with your fire

04/27/2026

The statewide burn ban remains in effect until further notice despite weekend rain in some areas. Persistent dry weather and increasing rainfall deficits from the last several months have left most of the state needing 10 inches of rain or more.

The statewide burn ban remains in effect until further notice despite weekend rain in some areas. Persistent dry weather and increasing rainfall deficits from the last several months have left most of the state needing 10 inches of rain or more.

“While the rainfall we received over the weekend was a welcome sight, it offered little to no relief from widespread drought conditions while being nowhere near enough to reduce our wildfire risk,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Even the areas that received the heaviest amount of rain will quickly dry out from the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Until we get some additional rain and see more green-up in our forests, holding the burn ban in place statewide is the best option right now.”

While green-up and leaf-out are progressing at normal rate, low soil moisture, dry surface fuels and persistent low humidity are contributing to wildfire activity. For Western North Carolina, excessive forest fuels from Hurricane Helene are more available now than they were in 2025, low water levels in coastal areas have helped produce intense fire behavior where ground fire will likely be a long-term issue, and the Piedmont experienced 87 new wildfire starts over the weekend alone. Extended attack and mop-up efforts will be taxing and long-winded until drought conditions improve.

Read news release: https://bit.ly/497dNht

04/16/2026

APRIL 16, 2026 QUESTION OF THE DAY

Is the statewide burn ban still in effect?

Yes. Yes it is. All open burning is prohibited intil further notice.

For a status check on the statewide ban on open burning, check our social media pages, check our website, subscribe to receive alerts from us.

03/28/2026

Due to increased wildfire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide effective 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 until further notice.

Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted. Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.

The burn ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The local fire marshal has authority to issue a burn ban within those 100 feet.

Read news release: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2026/03/28/statewide-burn-ban-issued-north-carolina-due-hazardous-forest-fire-conditions

03/28/2026

Effective Saturday, March 28 at 8 a.m., the National Weather Service has issued a ** 🚩🚩RED FLAG WARNING🚩🚩** for some North Carolina counties. For counties that aren’t under a red flag, fire danger is still critical. Review weather alerts for North Carolina at weather.gov.

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create dangerous fire behavior.

While open burning is permitted during a red flag, it is NOT advised. Please postpone ALL outdoor burning. If there was ever a time to show you can follow instructions the first time they are given, it’s now.

Careless debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina, and you are our best defense against wildfire. For wildfire readiness and prevention tips: preventwildfirenc.org

03/23/2026

Fire danger is high, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. Fires can start almost immediately and easily from all causes. Fires can spread rapidly and intensify quickly. Spot fires can be a constant danger.

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.

🎯Check fire danger: https://climate.ncsu.edu/fire/.
🎯Check weather alerts for your area: weather.gov.
🎯Contact your local NCFS county ranger. https://bit.ly/3lpoWR0

Spread prevention, not wildfire.

03/05/2026

🚨🚒Reminder To Check Smoke Detectors🚒🚨

01/21/2026

❄️ Winter Weather Ahead ❄️
With winter weather coming up, let’s all take a moment to prepare and stay safe. Temperatures may drop, roads could become slick, and conditions may change quickly. If you can, limit travel, bundle up, and keep emergency supplies close.

Please check on family, friends, and neighbors—especially those who may need extra help. Let’s look out for one another and get through this weather safely and warmly. Stay safe, everyone! And keep emergency supplies on hand.

Hey everyone, it seems that after most posts this morning, many people don't even know how to prepare for a significant Winter Storm. So many people have moved here, and some have literally never seen winter weather. It is understandable. It's been a long time since we've had a really significant Winter Storm, so here are some preparedness tips. While we're still figuring out the exact amounts and who sees what, confidence continues to grow, and it wouldn't hurt to start preparing. Don't go crazy, no one needs 10 gallons of milk or 7 loaves of bread. Think reasonably. I am continuing to watch the data and will keep providing forecast updates over the coming days!

-Ethan

01/16/2026

👉FIRE DANGER STILL HIGH FOR CENTRAL NC -- JAN. 16, 2026 – POSTPONE OUTDOOR BURNING👈

Due to low relative humidity, dry fuels and windy conditions, fire danger remains high across central North Carolina. Outdoor burning is NOT recommended. Dry grasses, dead leaves and other vegetative debris could easily ignite and spread quickly.

Discard cigarette butts, matches and other flammable materials in appropriate containers. Use extreme caution when handling potential ignition sources such as machinery and farm equipment.

Spread prevention, not wildfire.

🎯Contact your local NCFS county ranger before burning outdoors. https://bit.ly/3lpoWR0
🎯Check weather alerts for your area: weather.gov
🎯For safe outdoor burning and wildfire prevention tips: www.preventwildfirenc.org.

01/11/2026

Due to low relative humidity, dry fuels and windy conditions, fire danger is elevated across the southern Piedmont into the Sandhills today, Jan. 11.

Outdoor burning is NOT recommended. Dry grasses, dead leaves and other vegetative debris could easily ignite and spread quickly.

Spread prevention, not wildfire.

For safe outdoor burning and wildfire prevention tips: www.preventwildfirenc.org.

11/18/2025

Fire danger is elevated statewide. Outdoor burning is NOT recommended. Most dry grasses, dead leaves and other vegetative debris could easily ignite and spread quickly.

Discard cigarette butts, matches and other flammable materials in appropriate containers. Use extreme caution when handling potential ignition sources such as machinery and farm equipment.

Before burning, contact your local N.C. Forest Service county ranger’s office for guidance. Contacts: https://bit.ly/3lpoWR0

For safe outdoor burning and wildfire prevention best practices: www.preventwildfirenc.org.