North Carolina: Burn Ban

NC, TN | Alert

*UPDATED*

5 DAYS AGO

04/23/2026

Update: Cherokee National Forest is also enacting a forest-wide burn ban starting tomorrow. This means that, except for in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, campfires are not allowed along the A.T. from Georgia to the the Tennessee/Virginia state line (NOBO miles 0.0 to 167 and 239.4 to 467.3).

There is a burn ban in effect for Georgia as well. Reminder that there is already a five year burn ban in effect on the A.T. in the Roan Highlands, and areas damaged by Hurricane Helene are especially prone to wildfires due to storm debris.

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04/14/2026

Update: The National Forests of North Carolina are enacting a forest-wide burn ban starting tomorrow, April 15, 2026 until further notice. Under the ban, campfires are prohibited along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in the following sections, but camp stoves are allowed. The statewide burn ban is still in effect, too.

  • From the GA/NC state line to Fontana Dam (NOBO miles 78.3 to 167).
  • Effectively from Davenport Gap to Doll Flats (NOBO miles 239.4 to 392.6).
    • Note that this section is mostly right along the NC/TN state line. It is up to hikers to know which state they are in. Remember, too, that fire danger does not stop and end at state lines.
  • Reminder that there is already a five year burn ban in effect on the A.T. in the Roan Highlands.

A.T. hikers should always refrain from having campfires during times of high fire danger, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. High fire danger means periods of hot, dry, windy weather. Note that short periods of rain do not necessarily lower fire risk. ATC urges hikers to not have campfires at anytime in areas damaged by Hurricane Helene, due to the heightened fire risk posed by downed trees and storm debris (Davenport Gap to Pearisburg, VA).

Learn more about wildfire risk on the A.T. and safety when hiking through Helene-damaged areas.

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04/02/2026

Update: Due to high wildfire risk, the North Carolina Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning statewide, effective 6PM Saturday, March 28 until further notice. The burn ban includes no campfires, no open-flame stoves (fuel stoves are permitted), and no fireworks or sparklers.

Avery and Mitchell counties also have their own, more restrictive burn bans in place that apply to the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from approximately Indian Grave Gap to Doll Flats (NOBO miles 352.9 to 392.6). There is also a five year burn ban on the A.T. from Hughes Gap to Doll Flats.

A.T. hikers should always refrain from having campfires during times of high fire danger, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. High fire danger means periods of hot, dry, windy weather. Note that short periods of rain do not necessarily lower fire risk. ATC urges hikers to not have campfires at anytime in areas damaged by Hurricane Helene, due to the heightened fire risk posed by downed trees and storm debris (Davenport Gap to Pearisburg, VA).

Learn more about wildfire risk on the A.T. and safety when hiking through Helene-damaged areas.