Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office

Charlotte Water is moving to Drought Stage 2 with Mandatory Water Restrictions starting May 15 due to ongoing dry conditions. Here's what you need to know:

✅ Lawn irrigation is limited to 2 days/week, between 6 p.m. overnight to 6 a.m.
Odd-numbered addresses → Tuesday & Saturday
Even-numbered addresses → Wednesday & Sunday

✅ Pool top-offs are permitted Thursdays & Sundays, 6 p.m. overnight to 6 a.m. only

🚫 Prohibited until further notice:
- Washing vehicles at home
- Filling residential pools
- Non-essential power washing
- Decorative water features
- Fundraiser car wash events

Your cooperation makes a real difference. Every drop counts!

For additional information and drought updates, visit https://charlottewater.org



Town of Cornelius Town of Davidson Town of Mint Hill, North Carolina Town of Pineville Town of Matthews, NC - Government

Charlotte Water has entered Stage 1: Voluntary Water Restrictions effective April 20 due to ongoing dry conditions and increased demand on our regional water supply. While water remains available, these early conservation efforts are critical to maintaining reservoir levels and protecting essential services.

Customers are encouraged to limit outdoor watering to no more than two days per week, reduce non-essential water use, avoid washing hard surfaces, and promptly fix leaks. Small actions now can make a significant impact and help reduce the need for stricter measures later.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/4mHATkC.

Charlotte Fire is reminding residents that the burn ban remains in effect across the City of Charlotte as hot, dry and windy conditions continue to increase the risk of rapidly spreading fires.

Since the statewide burn ban was put in place on March 28, Charlotte Fire has responded to 50 brush fires across the city. With heat and dry weather continuing, the risk for additional fires remains high.

Open burning is prohibited in the City of Charlotte, including within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. This local action, in coordination with the statewide burn ban, is intended to prevent fires from starting and spreading due to current dry and windy conditions.

Charlotte Fire crews are already seeing the impact of these conditions, with an increase in brush fires across the area. Even small fires can quickly grow out of control, putting lives, property and first responders at risk.

On March 31, a home fire was caused by ashes from a fire pit that reignited and spread to the residence. The fire displaced the family and caused approximately $125,000 in damage, highlighting how quickly fires can start and spread under current conditions.

Residents are reminded that open burning includes yard debris such as leaves, limbs and natural vegetation. Burning trash, construction materials or other non-vegetative items is always illegal. Under the local burn ban, recreational fires, bonfires, fire pits and warming fires are prohibited. Only cooking fires are permitted, and they must be contained within a grill or outdoor cooking device, attended at all times, and accompanied by a readily available means of extinguishment.

Charlotte Fire will continue working alongside state and local partners to monitor conditions and enforce the burn ban.

Are you interested in learning more about how to help your family and neighbors during an emergency? Whether you want to gain life-saving skills for your own household or serve your community, we invite you to join us for CERT training THIS weekend!

This hands-on course provides essential instruction on fire safety, basic first aid, and general emergency preparedness. Best of all, the training is completely FREE for all residents, whether you plan to join our active team or simply want to be better prepared.

Don’t wait for a disaster to wish you had the skills. Come learn how to help until more help arrives!

Find more information and sign up at:

terms.ncem.gov

🔥High Fire Danger🔥

Low humidity and strong winds are expected, creating high fire danger! The statewide burn ban remains in effect which means:

🍃 No burning yard debris
🏕️ No campfires
🎆 No fireworks

For more info on how you can be prepared for wildfire season, visit ReadyNC.Gov/Wildfire

CharMeck Alert: Duke Energy will conduct low-volume testing of nuclear outdoor emergency sirens near the McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Power Plant on Wednesday, April 1st, between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. No public action is necessary.

These scheduled tests will last approximately five to 30 seconds. Siren testing is conducted as part of Duke Energy's commitment to the continued safe and reliable operation of the power plant, including confirming that all equipment and outdoor emergency sirens are working as intended.

No public action is necessary. Learn more about quarterly siren testing at https://www.duke-energy.com/safety-and-preparedness/nuclear-safety

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