Longtown VFD

Spring wildfire season in North Carolina is in full swing, with fire activity surging statewide over the last 10 days. Since Friday, March 20, N.C. Forest Service rangers have responded to 626 wildfires across the state. Not including today, at least 114 of those fires have started since the statewide ban on open burning became effective at 6 p.m., Saturday, March 28.

“The fact that we’ve had more than 100 new fire ignitions during a statewide ban on open burning should reinforce the sense of urgency that needs to be taken with this ban,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Not a single one of the wildfires that have started since Sunday, March 29, were the result of a lightning strike or natural ignition source. That leaves most, if not all, of these ignitions as being the result of human activity, reminding us that people are the best defense against wildfire.”

Following enactment of the state ban on open burning, the N.C. Forest Service canceled nearly 18,000 digital burn permits that were issued online during the 30-day period before the ban became effective. This total does not include the burning permits that were issued in person by either the N.C. Forest Service or local burn permitting agents. Congruent with general statute, the N.C. Forest Service cancels all burn permits and suspends the issuance of new burn permits during a state-issued burn ban.

Read news release: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2026/03/31/wildfire-activity-intensifies-across-state-626-new-ignitions-over-10-day-period

Effective at 6:00 p.m. on March 28, 2026, the Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a countywide prohibition on all open burning. The ban applies to all areas of Burke County, including locations within 100 feet of any structure, and remains in effect regardless of previously issued burning permits.

The burn ban is enacted under the authority of the Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office in accordance with Section 307 of the 2018 North Carolina Fire Code. The measure is intended to reduce the risk of wildfire ignition and spread amid ongoing dry weather conditions affecting the region.

This local action follows a broader burn ban issued the same day by the North Carolina Forest Service, which similarly prohibits all open burning, cancels existing permits, and suspends the issuance of new permits due to elevated fire danger.

Open burning, as defined under the ban, includes the burning of yard debris such as leaves, branches, and other vegetative matter, as well as recreational fires, bonfires, and the use of outdoor fireplaces. The restriction does not extend to cooking-related fires, including the use of gas, pellet, or charcoal grills, as well as outdoor cookers and smokers. However, the burning of non-vegetative materials—including trash, construction debris, tires, plastics, and paper products—always remains illegal.

The ban will remain in place until further notice. Enforcement efforts will be carried out by local fire departments and law enforcement agencies in coordination with the Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office and the North Carolina Forest Service. Violations may result in fines and applicable court costs.

Residents seeking further details regarding the statewide burn ban and related fire prevention initiatives can be found on the North Carolina Forest Service website at http://ncforestservice.gov under the News section or contact your local fire department.

Join Burke's Bravest on March 30th as we conduct a real-time NIGHT SEARCH exercise drill at Lake James State Park.
Supper will be served at 5: 30 at Longtown FD and participants will deploy from the firehouse as dispatched.
Exercise Times: 1800-2300 hrs.
Register on arrival at Longtown FD
Students are encouraged to wear clothing suitable for the climate, headlamps, rescue helmets, and bring wilderness rope gear and radios.
All agencies from surrounding regions are welcome to attend, as well.
Agency Resources Requested:
-Drones with FLIR
-UTV's
-Wilderness & Rope Rescue Trained Personnel
-Civil Air Patrol
-Mobile Command & Communications
-NC State Park Assets

**Meeting Location Change Notice**

Due to a projected large turnout for this real-time search exercise and limited parking at Longtown FD.
All participants will need to meet at the Lake James Visitor Center at 5:15 & register with the college on arrival before stepping off at 6pm. Meal will be provided at the Visitor Center. No prior SAR training required. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Heres a map to the visitor center.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/r5VGkjriUi7YBEUNA

Park Rangers are burning on Bootstrap Island at Lake James today, 3/26/2026. There is heavy smoke spreading into the surrounding areas. Please use caution when traveling.

Lake James State Park will be conducting a controlled burn on a portion of the Longarm peninsula today, 3/5/2026. There may be heavy smoke in the area, do not be alarmed. If traveling in the area use caution and be alert for park personnel and vehicles.

Burke County Joint Information Center 2:00 Sunday Situation Report

1:45 pm Update: Good afternoon. NC DOT and Public Works within the Towns and Municipalities continue to work hard on the roadways. While main roadways have improved somewhat, secondary roads are covered in snow and sleet. I-40 remains snow and ice-covered in areas as well. Temperatures remain in the low and mid 20's. The next wave of low pressure is moving into the area now. Temps will likely warm another degree or two, but not much. Significant icing is expected between 2 pm and 7 pm tonight as the heaviest precipitation moves in. Once freezing rain picks up, expect significant icing on trees, power lines, and roadways. What sleet and snow are on the ground currently will become glazed over and difficult to work on. As the low pressure moves through, colder air will rush back in, pushing temperatures down a few more degrees. The National Weather Service has just advised that another 0.25 to 0.50 inches of ice is possible through 7:00pm.

The City of Morganton, NC, Government, Town of Drexel, Town of Valdese, and Town of Hildebran all have public works crews and electric (Morganton and Drexel) ready to respond when the heavy icing begins. Law enforcement remains fully staffed and operational. The EOC remains open around the clock. Burke County continues to offer power-dependent and vulnerable populations at 300 Collett Street, Morganton (Collett Street Recreation Center). The PIO line remains operational for those with questions about county operations at 828-764-9388. For NCDOT, utilize 511. For emergencies, call 911. For the shelter call, 828-764-9383.

At this time, the following warming centers have notified us that they are open and operational as needed.

Oak Hill Station 1 - 2400 NC 181 Morganton
Oak Hill Station 2 - 3000 Brown Mountain Beach Road, Morganton
Lake James Fire and Rescue - 3222 NC-126, Morganton
Icard Fire and Rescue Station 1 - 100 1st Ave NE, Hildebran
Enola Fire and Rescue- 2510 Enola Road, Morganton

If other warming centers come online, we will share that information. Reminder: warming centers are not shelters and can only be used to go, warm up, and charge devices. You should not expect to shelter at those locations. We appreciate the partnerships with our non-profit community and fire departments in their support of our many communities!

Current County Power Outages: 0
Roadways: Sleet and snow covered
I-40 - Ice and snow covered

Currently at Burke County EOC, 1.75 inches of sleet/snow. Glaze of ice