Burn Ban / Open Burning

Open Burning Information, Permits, & Regulations

The type and location of open burning determines which regulations it follows and what permits are necessary.

Permits

View the North Carolina Forest Service Burn Permit Application.

Brunswick County is considered a "High Hazard County" in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 106-942. Special provisions and restrictions may apply. If your burn is for land-clearing purposes AND it will encompass more than five acres, you will require a special permit not available online.

Visit our Controlled Burns webpage to learn about permits and regulations for controlled/prescribed burns.

Regulations

• The Brunswick County Fire Marshal's Office regulates all open burning activities within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling in the unincorporated areas of the county using the Brunswick County Solid Waste Ordinance.
  • Brunswick County Community Enforcement enforces the Brunswick County Solid Waste Ordinance. Violations of the ordinance should be submitted via Community Enforcement's online report form.
• Municipalities (incorporated cities, towns, and villages) in Brunswick County regulate and enforce all open burning activities within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling in their municipal limits.
  • Contact your municipal official for complaints within municipal limits.
• The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) regulate all open burning activities outside 100 feet of an occupied dwelling in the state.
  • The North Carolina Division of Air Quality (DAQ) enforces the state’s open burning regulations. Illegal open burning harms air quality and public health. Violators can be fined up to $25,000. Open burning complaints should be submitted to the local DAQ Regional Office.

Contacts

• For questions or concerns regarding odor reporting, open burning, and air quality regulations: Contact the N.C. Division of Air Quality’s Wilmington Regional Office at 910.796.7234 or 910.796.7231.
• For questions or concerns regarding burn bans and forestry regulations: Contact the N.C. Forest Service - Brunswick County Ranger at 910.755.7772 or via email.
• For further information regarding municipal burn bans and municipal open burning regulations: Contact your local municipal official.
• If you see a fire and believe it is a danger to yourself and/or another person: Call 9-1-1.

Related Links and Tools

• AirNow: Brunswick County Current Air Quality and Air Quality Forecast
• National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS): Drought Conditions for Brunswick County
• N.C. Forest Service: Wildfire Situation Report and North Carolina Wildfire Public Viewer
• North Carolina State Climate Office: Air Quality Portal
• North Carolina State Climate Office: North Carolina Daily Fire Danger Map
• U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) - Wilmington, NC Weather Forecast Office: Fire Weather Program
• U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) - Wilmington, NC Weather Forecast Office: Weather Conditions for Brunswick County