ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The USDA and North Carolina forest services have lifted their bans on all open burning effective 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 2.

The statewide ban went into effect March 21 because of hazardous forest fire conditions.

Following suit, the national forest burn ban was also lifted Wednesday morning, the USDA said in a news release. But, please continue to use extreme caution with fire.

“We aren’t out of the woods yet,” the news release said. “Fire season is actually just starting, so pay attention to burn bans as they come and go and be careful with your fires.”

The NCFS said a change in weather conditions helped officials decide to lift the ban.

“We’ve received some well-timed, much-needed rain over the last couple days which has helped reduce fire danger, allowing us to lift burn ban restrictions across the state,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a news release. “However, we are still in the midst of spring wildfire season and our recent wildfire activity, especially in Western North Carolina, is a reminder to remain vigilant about burning safely and responsibly.”

The lifting of the burn ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. Local fire marshals have the authority to issue or lift a burn ban within that 100 feet.

As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, burn permits were available statewide. Residents can obtain a burn permit from any authorized permitting agent or online. All burn permits granted before the statewide burn ban were canceled when the ban became effective. A valid permit must be obtained.

Residents with questions regarding their specific county can contact their local N.C. Forest Service county ranger or county fire marshal’s office. To find contact information for your local NCFS county ranger, click here.

The USDA Forest Service lifted fire restrictions across the four national forests in North Carolina at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, coinciding with the end to the statewide burn ban.

Widespread rainfall over the past 48 hours reduced the overall fire danger across much of the state, the USDA said. The improved weather conditions also helped firefighters battling multiple fires in Western North Carolina, including the Rattlesnake Branch Fire on the Pisgah National Forest.

Forest visitors will be able to once again build campfires and use camp stoves and fire rings. However, several areas will continue experience warmer and windy weather in the days ahead, so it’s important to exercise extreme caution when burning outdoors.

Some important campfire tips to remember:

  • Make sure your campfire is a safe distance from your tent or anything that can ignite unexpectedly.
  • Use rocks to create a fire ring in the center of a large, cleared area.
  • Use the drown-stir-drown-feel method to put out your campfire safely.

For more information, check out Smokey Bear’s Campfire Safety webpage.

While the statewide fire restriction on National Forest lands has been lifted, the restrictions on all open burning in the area of Roan Mountain remains in effect because of heightened wildfire risks following Tropical Storm Helene. For more information on the Roan Mountain fire restriction, click here.