Wildfire/Emergency Response Situation Report
Burn ban lifted for 30 counties in Western North Carolina as conditions begin to improve
Effective at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, the N.C. Forest Service has lifted a ban on all open burning outside of the 100-foot area around an occupied dwelling for the following counties in North Carolina: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey. Burn bans were issued for these counties due to hazardous forest fire conditions in the area. The first ban took effect for 14 counties on Nov. 5. The second ban took effect in the additional 16 counties on Nov. 8..
As of 5 p.m., burn permits are available in all counties. You can obtain a burn permit from any open authorized permitting agent or online at www.ncforestservice.gov/burnpermit. All burn permits previously granted in the 30 counties affected by this burn ban were canceled when the ban became effective. A new, valid permit must be obtained.
Read the full news release.
Careless debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina. Don't be careless. Be ready. For prevention tips, visit our Fire Safety Outdoors page.
See the North Carolina Wildfire Public Viewer for current information on North Carolina’s reported and active wildfires.See all fires that have been contolled since January 1, 2023. The map displays all fires that have been entered into the N.C. Forest Service fire record system.
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Current Wildfire Information
The North Carolina Forest Service tracks daily fire activity using a database known as the "Signal 14". The data from the Signal 14 is a rapid approximation of wildfire occurrence. It's not an exact count. This information does not include uncontained fires or fires that occur on federal property. The information below comes from Signal 14 reports.| Period | # Fires | # Acres |
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| Additional data: Daily Fire Occurrence Summary (PDF) | ||
Monthly Fire Summary Graph
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In-state incidents
Location: Stokes County
Estimated Size: 805 acres
Containment: 79%
Summary: As of Nov. 26, the Sauratown Mountain Fire is 79% contained and 805 acres in size after more accurate mapping.
A priority objective for personnel is mopping up along all containment lines around the fire until a 100-foot area into the fire’s interior is cold and black. Mop-up is a crucial suppression tactic that is applied after a fire’s progression has stopped and containment grows. During mop-up operations, crews look for hot spots near containment lines by using hand tools to dig through the ash and burned area. This is necessary because steep terrain can be inaccessible for brush trucks and water tenders, making water delivery a challenge. Crews dig out hot spots, exposing the areas to humidity.
Ground crews are also completing any needed fire suppression repairs to prevent sedimentation or erosion. Hand crews and equipment will create water bars and turnouts on fire lines to divert water runoff on steep slopes. To prevent accelerated water runoff and soil erosion, ground personnel are using grass seed and straw to stabilize the fire lines, especially in steep terrain and most importantly near and around intermittent and perennial streams. N.C. Forest Service personnel will continue to monitor these sensitive areas after fire suppression is complete, until natural vegetation returns, and runoff and erosion are no longer a threat.
Roughly 20 suppression personnel are tasked with carrying out these objectives today. The N.C. Forest Service Type 3 incident management team will transition the fire back to NCFS District 10 and Stokes County personnel. These units will continue to staff the fire through the week or as long as operations deem necessary.
Unless fire activity increases, this will be the last update for the Sauratown Mountain Fire.
Latest Fire Information Update
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Updated 11/26/2023 at 9 a.m.
Location: Edneyville community in Henderson County
Estimated Size: 434 acres
Containment: 100%
Summary: The Poplar Drive Fire in Henderson County has reached 100% containment. The fire will continue to be monitored by N.C. Forest Service personnel. The fire footprint was 434 acres, and the cause was determined to be a debris burn.
Latest Fire Information Update: N.C. Forest Service Region 3
PIO Map: Western NC Wildfire Activity Greater Than 35 Acres
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Updated 11/19/2023 at 11:30 a.m.
Location: Haywood County on the Appalachain Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest
Estimated Size: 1,888 acres
Containment: 79%
Command: Southern Area Blue Incident Management Team
Summary: Recent rainfall across the fire has moderated fire activity resulting in minimal activity and no additional growth at this time. Firefighters will monitor fire behavior and patrol the fire area for potential hot spots. Heavy fuels such as logs or stumps may continue to produce smoke.
Latest Fire Information
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Updated 11/22/2023 at 1:45 p.m.
Location: Wilkes County
Estimated Size: 80 acres
Containment: 100%
Summary: The Branch Fire in Wilkes County, which started Nov. 9, has reached 100% containment. The fire will continue to be patrolled and monitored by N.C. Forest Service personnel. The Branch Fire footprint was 80 acres and the cause remains under investigation.
Latest Fire Information Update: N.C. Forest Service Region 3
PIO Map: Western NC Wildfire Activity Greater Than 35 Acres
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Updated 11/18/2023 at 10:30 a.m.
Location: Collett Ridge (4 miles south of Andrews, NC)
Estimated Size: 5,505 acres
Containment: 100%
Start Date: 10/23/2023
Total Personnel: 223
--> Unified Command: U.S. Forest Service
Summary: The Collett Ridge Fire received 1.25 inches of rain resulting in minimal fire activity, no additional growth, and wetting of light fuels such as leaf litter, which was the primary fuel source for the fire. There may continue to be smoke within the interior of the fire perimeter, due to heavier fuels such as logs or stumps that may continue to smolder. No additional fire growth is expected.
Latest Fire Information
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Updated 11/22/2023 at 1:45 p.m.