Central Fire Department

08:23 PM 05/25/2026 | Weather Alert: Special Weather Statement for Alexander, Catawba, Cleveland, Greater Caldwell, Greater Burke, Eastern McDowell, Greater Rutherford

Issued: 08:23 PM 05/25/2026
Expires: 09:15 PM 05/25/2026
Urgency: Expected

At 822 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a thunderstorm with
torrential rainfall 10 miles southeast of Morganton, or 5 miles
northeast of South Mountains State Park, moving northeast at 50 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Hickory, Forest City, Rutherfordton, Taylorsville, Morganton, Lenoir,
St. Stephens, Longview, Sawmills, and Granite Falls.

Extreme rainfall rates in excess of 3 inches per hour will be
possible in these areas.

Interactive Map with Radar: https://greenewx.com/maps/urn_oid_2_49_0_1_840_0_c9acc37a481a722ad42b3cb3eac4182475c934f2_001_1_bradpwcnc1.html

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Freedom does not come easy. The liberties we enjoy today came from a heavy sacrifice. Honoring our nation’s heroes on this Memorial Day.

Happy Mother's Day from The 9 House !

Burn Ban Lifted at 8am Friday morning!

Good Morning! Prepare for a wet one. Leave early and increase stoping distances. Watch out for school busses.

Since the state-issued ban on open burning was enacted March 28, a total of 554 wildfires has burned more than 2,200 acres across the state. With little rainfall or improvement expected over the next 7-10 days, the statewide burn ban and enforcement action will continue until further notice.

Of the 554 wildfires that have burned since the burn ban took effect, only four have been determined to be the result of lightning strikes. Preliminary data indicates that 152 of those 554 wildfires were determined to be human caused, with the remainder listed as unknown or undetermined, likely pending law enforcement investigation and action. Since the state’s burn ban took effect, 150 citations have been issued for illegal burning.

During a state-issued burn ban, the same N.C. Forest Service personnel providing initial and extended attack for wildfire response are providing the necessary enforcement action to support the ban on open burning. Reducing the number of new ignitions is critical for sustaining adequate resource availability for an extended period, making state-issued bans a necessary tool for keeping wildfires contained and as small as possible until fully extinguished.

The public is urged to abide by the burn ban and to use extreme caution with farm equipment, machines, mowers, vehicles on dry grass, smoking materials such as ci******es, anything that can throw a spark. In current high-risk conditions, these could be a possible fire source. While not classified as open burning and not affected by the state’s ban on open burning, they are still contributors to new fire starts across the state.

Read news release: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2026/04/14/statewide-burn-ban-and-enforcement-continue-dry-conditions-persist

Check your equipment.

Due to dry conditions and lack of rainfall, the state-issued burn ban remains in effect statewide. Outdoor burning is prohibited but isn’t the only ignition source for wildfire, especially in high-risk conditions.

Farm equipment and machine use can also start wildfires. While working outdoors, be mindful of your equipment, and watch for sparks!

Check for and fix fire hazards before operating farm equipment or machines.
👉Remove any buildup of crop residue around the engine, exhaust system, belts and chains.
👉Repair damaged exhaust system components, worn or frayed drive belts, broken or exposed electrical wiring, worn or misaligned moving parts which can indicate a lack of lubricant, and signs of leaking fluids, oil and fuel.
👉For portable, gasoline-powered equipment, make sure you have a properly functioning spark arrester installed.

For prevention tips and risk reduction measures you can take, visit www.preventwildfirenc.org.