A statewide burn ban was lifted for dozens of counties on Sunday, according to the North Carolina Forest Service.
The Forest Service said 81 counties, including Durham and Wake counties, were taken off the open burn ban because of recent rainfall across North Carolina. The initial ban went into effect on March 28 due to intense drought conditions across the state.
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“The recent rainfall has provided some relief and has moderated fire danger enough for us to lift the ban on open burning in 81 counties,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “However, we’re still in the thick of spring wildfire season when conditions can change quickly and frequently."
The lift of the ban, however, has some conditions. Fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, and only local fire marshals have the authority to lift or order those burn bans within those 100 feet.
The following counties are still under a burn ban until further notice:
- Alamance
- Anson
- Cabarrus
- Chatham
- Davidson
- Davie
- Forsyth
- Gaston
- Guilford
- Iredell
- Mecklenburg
- Montgomery
- Moore
- Randolph
- Rockingham
- Rowan
- Stanly
- Stokes
- Union
The state said burn permits will be made available starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday for the counties not listed above.