The Buncombe County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued an open burning ban effective Monday, November 17. Continued low humidity and strong, gusty winds are creating extreme fire danger conditions.
The ban applies to all open burning, including yard waste, debris, and land-clearing burns. Fires in barbecue grills and cooking fires will be the only exception to this ban. This ban will remain in effect until conditions improve, and the region receives rainfall. It is never legal to burn anything other than naturally occurring vegetation.
This ban does not affect N.C. Forest Service permitted, controlled, and attended fires more than 100 feet from a structure. For validation of permits and complaints on open burning 100 feet or more from structures, please contact the N.C. Forest Service at 828-667-5211 OR 919-857-4801.
Burning of all material is always prohibited where there is public pickup for yard waste, including the City of Asheville and other municipalities.
Emergency crews are currently responding to a brush fire at the Blue Ridge Parkway between Rattlesnake Lodge and Ox Creek. All visitors including hikers, cyclists, and those in vehicles are being asked to leave the area.
A Reminder: Open burning is never permitted within municipal limits.
