National Forests in North Carolina
Forest Service News Release
Media Contact: Adam Rondeau
(828) 767-3448
adam.rondeau@usda.gov
www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina
Fire restrictions lifted on North Carolina’s National Forests
ASHEVILLE, N.C., May 4, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has lifted fire restrictions across the four National Forests in North Carolina, following the end to the statewide burn ban in 81 counties.
Recent widespread rainfall helped reduce the overall fire danger across much of the state.
Forest visitors will be able to once again build campfires and use camp stoves and fire rings. Several areas will continue to experience warmer and windy weather in the days ahead, particularly in areas near the Uwharrie National Forest, so it’s important to follow these campfire safety tips:
- Make sure your campfire is a safe distance from your tent or anything that can ignite unexpectedly.
- Use rocks to create a fire ring in the center of a large, clear area.
- Use the Drown-Stir-Drown-Feel method to put out your campfire safely.
- For more information, check out Smokey Bear’s Campfire Safety webpage.
While the fire restrictions on National Forest lands have lifted, the restrictions on all open burning in the area of Roan Mountain on the Pisgah National Forest remains in effect because of heightened wildfire risks following Hurricane Helene. Click here for more information on the Roan Mountain fire restriction.
For wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc or visit www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
About Friends of Panthertown: The mission of Friends of Panthertown is to work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to conserve Panthertown as a backcountry natural resource and to enable sustainable recreation. Since 2005, Friends of Panthertown has trained and coordinated hundreds of volunteers, and raised funds for trail maintenance, public education, and much needed conservation projects in Panthertown Valley. Friends of Panthertown encourages environmental stewardship, volunteerism, and create public awareness of issues concerning Panthertown.
What Friends of Panthertown Does:
• Engage volunteers in on-the-ground efforts at weekly work days.
• Foster environmental stewardship through outreach and education.
• Restore and maintain 30 miles of public non-motorized multi-use trails.
• Construct trail-head facilities and repair bridges and existing structures.
• Protect natural resources and monitor fragile ecosystems.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop solutions to natural resource issues.
• Provide funding for conservation projects and education programs through grants and donor contributions.
Are you a Friend of Panthertown? All donations are tax-deductible.
