As North Carolina enters its fall wildfire season, the N.C. Forest Service is asking residents to take steps to protect their homes and communities from wildfires. The agency highlights that most wildfires in the state are caused by human activity and can be prevented with proper precautions.
“Wildfire prevention and risk reduction are two important areas that each of us have the ability to directly impact,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Sometimes a wildfire is inevitable due to circumstances beyond our control such as lightning strikes or downed powerlines. However, most of our wildfires are avoidable as human activity continues to be responsible for more than 99% of all wildfire causes.”
Wildfire activity in North Carolina usually increases from October through early December. According to data from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, the N.C. Forest Service responded to nearly 5,600 wildfires that burned over 34,000 acres. Common causes include backyard debris burning, machinery use, arson, and escaped campfires.
“We’ve just surpassed the one-year mark since Hurricane Helene unleashed significant devastation on so many of our citizens and natural resources,” Troxler added. “Being prepared for wildfire is more important than ever, especially in Western North Carolina where more than 800,000 acres of forestland were damaged, leaving substantial fuel on the ground. Please do your part to prevent and prepare for wildfires.”
The N.C. Forest Service offers several recommendations for creating defensible space around homes: clear pine needles and leaves from roofs and gutters; store away flammable items like furniture cushions; screen windows and seal openings; rake leaves at least five feet away from structures; trim back shrubs or branches near houses; remove combustible materials within 30 feet of buildings; and close all windows and doors if evacuating.
For those who plan to burn debris outdoors, officials urge residents to obtain a valid burn permit either online at https://apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits/ or at local offices. Residents should avoid burning on dry or windy days and keep fires small with water hoses or shovels ready nearby. The service also warns against using flammable liquids like gasoline or kerosene when starting fires.
People are reminded never to leave fires unattended and ensure they are completely extinguished before leaving the area.
Smoke from wildfires can pose health risks—especially for children, older adults, active individuals, or people with heart or lung conditions such as asthma—so staying informed about air quality is important during fire season. Residents can monitor local air quality through websites such as www.ncair.org , https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/ , and www.airnow.gov .
More information about preparing for wildfire can be found at www.preventwildfirenc.org .
