North Raleigh Today

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 that open burning is only allowed in limited circumstances for vegetative materials such as leaves, limbs, and yard debris.

The state's oldest air quality regulation, the open burning rule, outlines specific conditions under which outdoor burning can occur. Residential yard waste and commercial land clearing burning are permitted between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., with no new vegetation added after 6 p.m. Burning is allowed 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 permissible unless restricted by local ordinances or temporary burn bans.

In response to Hurricane Helene's impact in western North Carolina, special provisions are in place through March to aid the processing of vegetative disaster debris in affected counties. While grinding or chipping wood debris is preferred, guidance for burning debris is available online.

Commercial land clearing operations must comply with all open burning rules. Vegetation should originate on-site unless specific conditions allow transportation up to four times a year. Kerosene or diesel fuel may be used to start fires but no other man-made materials can be burned.

The Division of Air Quality enforces these regulations alongside local law enforcement and fire services. Violators face fines up to $25,000 per violation per day. Complaints can be submitted anonymously online.

Careless debris burning leads as the primary cause of wildfires in North Carolina. The N.C Forest Service may require an open burning permit before certain fires are lit in protected areas. Burn permits are available through the N.C Forest Service's online application or local offices.

Local governments may impose stricter restrictions than state law; residents should check with local officials for applicable rules.

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

For information in Spanish or another language, contact 919-707-8446 or email Shawn.Taylor@deq.nc.gov.