Burn ban is in effect for Catawba County

Effective November 8th 2023 at 5:00 pm, Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office prohibits all open burning across Catawba County, including within 100 feet of a dwelling. The ban applies to all open burning regardless of whether a burning permit has been issued.

The open burning ban is authorized by the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office per North Carolina Fire Code Section 307 to prevent the potential for increased wildfires due to extremely dry weather conditions in Catawba County.

The local burn ban follows an open burning ban issued November 8th 2023 by the North Carolina Forest Service. Because of increased fire risk, the North Carolina Forest Service has banned all open burning and canceled all burning permits for Catawba County. The issuance of new burning permits has also been suspended.

Open burning includes burning leaves, branches and other plant material in addition to the use of recreational fires, bonfires, and outdoor fireplaces. The ban does not apply to cooking fires; such as gas, pellet, charcoal grills or outdoor cookers and smokers. In all cases, it is illegal to burn trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative materials.

The ban will remain in effect until further notice. Local fire departments and law enforcement agencies are assisting the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office and the North Carolina Forest Service with enforcing the ban, which carries a fine plus court costs for violations.

Questions about the local ban can be directed to Catawba County Emergency Services by calling (828) 465-8230. For more information about the North Carolina Forest Service’s regional open burning ban, including deployment of the service’s Fire Prevention Education Team to Western North Carolina, visit http://ncforestservice.gov/ and click on the News page.