WNC Burn Ban Lifted : What You Need To Know Now

North Carolina -- May 3, 2026: The statewide open burning ban has been lifted for 81 counties, including in Western North Carolina, effective 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026. This change allows residents in affected WNC areas, including those around Asheville, to resume outdoor burning, provided they follow specific local regulations and safety guidelines. The North Carolina Forest Service cited recent rainfall as the reason for reducing fire risk, which had prompted the ban's imposition in late M