Controlled Burns

At times, large controlled hazard reduction burns are conducted by various groups in Brunswick County. These burns are allowed, permitted and conducted under the rules from NC Forestry; Brunswick County does not permit these burns, and they are outside the areas that the County can regulate. When Brunswick County receives information about the location and timing of such burns, it is shared with citizens so they can be aware of these burns taking place (notices are posted below; to sign up for email notifications, click here). To view Brunswick County’s Open Burning Ordinance, click here.

If you see fire and feel your or someone/something else are in danger, please call 911.

If you have questions about a controlled burn, please contact NC Forestry. If you have concerns about air quality, these can be addressed by the NC Division of Environmental Quality (Air Quality).

At one time low-intensity wildfires were a common occurrence across North Carolina and helped keep our forests healthy.  Today controlled burns, also known as prescribed fires, are used to mimic those low-intensity fires. Controlled burns are conducted under strict weather parameters to help to remove unwanted fuels that can lead to larger wildfires, to open up the understory for wildlife to forage, and add nutrients to the soil, helping the forest to grow healthier, amongst a host of other benefits. To learn more about controlled burns click here or visit the N.C. Prescribed Fire Council’s website.