State officials lift burn ban amid ongoing wildfires

The North Carolina Forest Service is lifting its statewide ban on open burning, effective 8 a.m. Wednesday. It was first instituted on March 21 due to high wildfire risk.

In a press release, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said recent rain has reduced fire danger, but the state is still in peak wildfire season. He’s urging residents to burn responsibly.

As of Tuesday afternoon, four wildfires are actively burning in western North Carolina, according to the Forest Service.