Balsam Grove Fire Rescue

03/28/2026

Due to increased wildfire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide effective 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 until further notice.

Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted. Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.

The burn ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The local fire marshal has authority to issue a burn ban within those 100 feet.

Read news release: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2026/03/28/statewide-burn-ban-issued-north-carolina-due-hazardous-forest-fire-conditions

03/24/2026

01/29/2026

01/18/2026

Big thanks to all agencies who assisted with this today. Everyone is out of the woods and safe. Lake Toxaway Fire Rescue, Transylvania County Dispatch, and Transylvania County EMS. Transylvania County Emergency Services Transylvania County Rescue Squad

01/16/2026

You are invited to gather firewood for personal use on the Pisgah National Forest until December 2026.

Hurricane Helene left a significant amount of woody debris in our forest, which creates a heightened risk of wildfire. You can help mitigate this risk by collecting downed wood for personal use. Learn more about specific rules on collecting firewood here:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/releases/permit-free-firewood-collection-extended-through-2026-pisgah

01/16/2026

Some areas of Transylvania County are currently experiencing smoke cover from a prescribed burn located in Oconee County, South Carolina. The fire is not a wildfire and is not located in Transylvania County or in North Carolina.