Durham, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of Agriculture Forest Service lifted the ban on open burning for the remaining 33 counties – including Durham County – on Monday, December 13, 2021, effective at 12 p.m. In accordance with the newest order from the state, the Fire Marshals in Durham County and the City of Durham today rescinded its local burning ban within 100 feet of all occupied dwellings.

The lifting of the ban takes effect immediately.

The 33 counties are: Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Orange, Person, Polk, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stokes, Surry, Transylvania, Vance, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey.

The ban, which went into effect Nov. 29 due to hazardous forest fire conditions, was lifted for 67 other counties on Dec. 8.

“We saw some much-needed rain during the weekend, and that has thankfully helped bring fire danger down, allowing us to lift burn ban restrictions statewide,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler in a release. “Still, I’d caution residents to remain vigilant about burning responsibly and safely. Make sure you have a valid burn permit and contact your NCFS county ranger for wildfire prevention and fire safety tips.”

For more information, visit North Carolina Forest Service at ncforestservice.gov. Or contact Jason B. Shepherd, Durham County Chief Fire Marshal, at jshepherd@dconc.gov or 919-201-6638

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