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.
Crews Currently respond to brush fire:
Brush Fire on Blue Ridge Parkway
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Update as of Nov. 17: The fire is 40% contained. State, federal and county resources are on site. There will be some smoke in the area and Ox Creek Road will remain closed from the 500 block to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The parkway is not in any danger as of now and will be open, however you can not access from Ox Creek.
November 16:
All visitors must immediately leave the Parkway between Rattlesnake Lodge and Ox Creek. Emergency crews are responding to a brush fire. Avoid the area and continue to refrain from outdoor burning at this time.