North Wake News

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is reminding residents and businesses that burning trash, metal, plastic, and other man-made materials is against state law. The Division of Air Quality emphasizes the rule: "If it doesn’t grow, don’t burn it." Open burning is only allowed for vegetative materials like leaves, limbs, and yard debris under limited circumstances.

The open burning rule restricts what can be burned outdoors and when. Residential yard waste and commercial land clearing can only occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., with no new vegetation added after 6 p.m. Burning is permitted only when the air quality forecast is Code Green or Code Yellow; it is prohibited on Code Orange, Red, or Purple days.

Yard waste must originate from a private residence and be burned on-site. Campfires, outdoor cooking fires, and bonfires are allowed unless local ordinances or temporary bans prohibit them. Fires must be controlled and never left unattended.

Special provisions are in place through March to manage vegetative disaster debris due to Hurricane Helene's impact in western North Carolina. While grinding or chipping wood debris is preferred, guidance for burning debris is available online.

Commercial land clearing operations also face restrictions under the open burning rule. Vegetation should originate on-site unless specific conditions allow transportation up to four times a year. Kerosene or diesel fuel may start a fire but no other man-made materials can be burned.

The Division of Air Quality enforces these rules with local law enforcement, firefighters, fire marshals, and the N.C. Forest Service. Violators may face fines up to $25,000 per violation per day.

Careless debris burning leads as the primary cause of wildfires in North Carolina. The N.C Forest Service might require an open burning permit before certain fires are lit in protected areas. Burn permits are not issued by the Division of Air Quality but can be obtained through the N.C Forest Service’s online application or local offices.

Local governments may impose stricter regulations than state law; residents should contact local officials for specific rules in their area.

Exceptions exist for special burns such as firefighter training exercises and prescribed burns. More information about open burning laws can be found on DEQ’s website.

For Spanish or other language assistance regarding this information, call 919-707-8446 or email Shawn.Taylor@deq.nc.gov.