Black Mountain Fire Department urges caution as extremely high fire risk continues
Due to recent wildfires in our neighboring counties and a state-wide burn ban in effect, the Black Mountain Fire Department is urging residents to remain vigilant as the risk for wildfires remains extremely high due to atmospheric and dry conditions.
Sign up for Town CodeRED Emergency Alerts by texting BLACKMOUNTAIN to 99411.
A state-wide burn ban on all open burning was issued by the N.C. Forest Service on Friday, March 21, 2025 until further notice, and all burning permits were canceled. Previously, an opening burning ban for Buncombe County had been issued. The County’s burn ban now runs concurrently with the state ban. The reason for this state-wide burn ban was due in part to a combination of factors including dry conditions, low humidity, and wind.
Open burning includes burning leaves, branches or other plant material. In all cases, burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material is illegal.
A press release issued by the N.C. Forest Service on March 20th, 2025 included the following information:
“It is spring wildfire season in North Carolina, and we are seeing wildfire activity increase due to dry conditions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With these ongoing conditions, a statewide burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of wildfires starting and spreading quickly. Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state. It is imperative that folks adhere to this burn ban until further notice.”
Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in all 100 counties in this instance, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted. Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire. Local fire departments and law enforcement officers are assisting the N.C. Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban.
The N.C. Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions. Residents with questions regarding a specific county can contact their N.C. Forest Service county ranger or their county fire marshal’s office. The Buncombe County Fire Marshal can be reached at (828) 250-6620 or by visiting their website at https://tinyurl.com/yhww8kx8.
When it comes to wildfires, one of the most critical environmental factors influencing fire behavior is relative humidity. Relative humidity refers to the amount of moisture present in the air compared to the maximum amount it can hold at a given temperature. When the air is saturated with moisture, relative humidity is 100%. When it's dry, that percentage drops.
Wildfires thrive in low-relative humidity conditions. When the air is dry—typically below 30%—vegetation loses moisture, becoming highly flammable. Fine fuels like grass, leaves, and small twigs dry out quickly, creating the perfect conditions for a fire to ignite and spread rapidly.
Fire crews closely monitor humidity levels to anticipate flare-ups and determine the safest, most effective response strategies. In wildfire management, every percentage point of relative humidity matters. By keeping a close eye on these conditions, we can better protect our communities, our landscapes, and the people on the front lines. While rain does add moisture to the ground and vegetation, the amount we’ve received recently has not been enough to significantly reduce the fire risk. Light or brief rainfall typically only moistens the surface, leaving the deeper layers of dry leaves, grass, and brush just as flammable as before.
Another key factor is the overall dryness of the environment. After prolonged dry weather, it takes sustained, soaking rain over several days to truly reduce the fire danger. Without that, the risk of a fire starting and spreading remains high.
Our priority is keeping everyone safe. Allowing open burning too soon could lead to uncontrolled fires that threaten homes, property, and lives. We’ll continue to monitor conditions closely, and once it’s truly safe, we’ll lift the restrictions.
Black Mountain Fire Chief John Coffey states, “We all have a responsibility to help prevent wildfires and protect our community. Wildfires can spread rapidly, endangering lives, homes, and natural resources. However, by taking simple precautions, we can reduce the risk and ensure the safety of our neighborhoods.”
Residents are asked to take immediate precautions to protect lives and property.
Key Recommendations
Avoid any outdoor burning, including campfires, fire pits, and debris burning. Safely dispose of cigarettes and other flammable materials.
You can track updates on wildfire activity and safety measures through the NC Forest Service’s Fire Response System at this link: https://ncfspublic.firesponse.com/
Keep your property clear of leaves, dry brush, and other flammable debris.
Sign up for emergency CodeRED alerts by texting BLACKMOUNTAIN to 99411 or visit www.townofblackmountain.org.
Prepare your household now in the event that you must leave suddenly. Plan your evacuation route now.
Prepare your home if you live near the wood line or in an urban interface:
Clean all combustibles from areas 25-50 feet away from your home.
Don’t store combustibles (firewood, gas, kerosine, oil) against your home or under decks.
If you have a heating source outside such as an oil or propane tank, clear anything that will burn away from that tank.
Clean leaves, limbs, and other dead vegetation from your home including gutters.
Due to the critical nature of the wildfires, anyone who violates the burn ban will face monetary fines, criminal charges, and will be prosecuted.
Residents in Black Mountain and Buncombe County can expect to see smoke and haze from fires burning in neighboring counties. The Buncombe County Fire Marshal asks that Buncombe County residents not report smoke to 911 unless you see a column of smoke or flames, at which point you should call 911 to report.
Thank you for your understanding and patience—your cooperation helps protect our community!
For more information, contact the Black Mountain Fire Department’s non-emergency line at 828-419-9320. You can also visit the N.C. Forest Service website at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service. If you see a wildfire or column of smoke, call 911 immediately to report.
