Statewide Burn Ban Issued as Drought Worsens in North Carolina

More than 9.5 million people in North Carolina are now living in drought-affected areas, just weeks before the peak planting season for key crops.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly 5% of the state is experiencing extreme drought conditions, while another 65% is classified under severe drought. All 100 counties in North Carolina are at least in a moderate drought, with fire danger now considered high statewide.

In response, the North Carolina Forest Service has issued a statewide burn ban, which took effect at 6 p.m. Saturday and remains in place until further notice.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler says the decision comes as conditions continue to worsen.

“With drought severity across the state, forecast fire weather and the potential for limited rainfall, it is critical to reduce the number of new fire starts,” Troxler said. “Vegetative fuels will dry rapidly… a burn ban for all 100 counties is necessary to reduce the number of wildfires across our landscape.”

The timing is especially concerning for farmers, as April marks a critical planting window for crops like corn, with soybeans and cotton typically planted from late April into early May.

Agriculture remains North Carolina’s top industry, contributing more than $102 billion annually to the state’s economy. There are roughly 42,500 farms operating across 8.1 million acres statewide.

North Carolina leads the nation in several agricultural products, including sweet potatoes, tobacco, poultry, and eggs, and ranks among the top five states for crops such as cotton, peanuts, and cucumbers.

The most severe drought conditions are currently concentrated in parts of the Piedmont and Mountain regions, as well as areas just east of Charlotte and near Rocky Mount. Meanwhile, much of the Coastal Plain remains in a moderate drought stage.

Officials are urging residents to follow the burn ban and take precautions as dry conditions persist across the state.