Due to increased fire danger, the Orange County Fire Marshal has issued a local burn ban effective immediately, March 28, 2026. The ban applies to all unincorporated areas of Orange County and within the corporate limits of the Town of Hillsborough.
The local order prohibits all open burning within 100 feet of any structure and will remain in effect until conditions improve.
In addition, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a statewide burn ban, prohibiting open burning greater than 100 feet from an occupied structure.
As of 8 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service has also issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of North Carolina, signaling critical fire weather conditions including strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures that can rapidly increase wildfire risk. Even in areas not under a warning, fire danger remains high.
Officials strongly urge residents to postpone all outdoor burning. Careless debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina.
“Residents play a critical role in preventing wildfires,” Emergency Services Director Kirby Saunders said. “Avoid outdoor burning and help protect our community.”
For weather updates, visit weather.gov.
