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Chatham County Burning Ban Lifted Effective May 8th
CHATHAM COUNTY, NC—At the direction of the North Carolina Forest Service, the Chatham County Fire Marshal’s Office has lifted all bans on open burning countywide effective May 8, 2026. The lifting of the burn ban includes the local burn ban that applied to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling.
“With the additional precipitation received this week, fire danger has improved for the western Piedmont, Triad, and foothills,” said Steve Troxler, NC Agriculture Commissioner. “Still, we have a long way to go with drought recovery.”
The original burn ban was implemented on March 28, 2026, in response to low humidity, strong winds, and warm temperatures—conditions that significantly increase the risk of wildfires spreading rapidly.
Although the ban has been lifted, residents are strongly urged to remain vigilant. Burning should be avoided during dry or windy conditions and on high fire danger days as designated by the N.C. Forest Service. It is also recommended that residents monitor fire weather on the North Carolina Forest Service website - https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/fire-control-and-prevention/fire-weather-reports.
Residents are encouraged to prioritize safety and carefully assess conditions before conducting any open burning.
“Responsible, safe burning is critical all the time but especially during peak wildfire season,” added Troxler. “Pay attention to weather conditions and check fire danger before burning. Get a valid burn permit. Have a water source, shovel, rake and phone nearby. Stay with your fire until it is completely out and cold to the touch.”
All open burning must be always attended and is limited to natural vegetation only. Burning of trash, construction debris, or other non-vegetative materials is strictly prohibited.
Residents can obtain a burn permit from any authorized permitting agent or online at https://apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits. All burn permits granted before the statewide burn ban were canceled when the ban became effective. To legally burn, a valid permit must be obtained.
Residents with questions may contact the Chatham County Fire Marshal's Office at 919-545-8342 or visit the NC Forest Service website: https://www.ncforestservice.gov. Information about preparing for and preventing wildfires can be found at: www.preventwildfirenc.org.