Right now, if you step outside in parts of the North Carolina Piedmont or look toward the horizon near the coast, you might catch a whiff of woodsmoke or see a hazy gray smudge against the winter sky. It’s January 17, 2026, and while we aren't seeing the massive, terrifying crown fires that hit the news out west, there is plenty of fire in North Carolina today that you need to know about.
Honestly, it’s a weird time of year for it. You’d think the cold would keep things quiet. But the reality on the ground is a mix of high-tension "Fire Danger Statements" from the National Weather Service and a very busy schedule of planned "good fire" being put on the ground by forestry experts.
The Current Situation: Red Flags and Dry Air
The big story for the Piedmont and the northwest corner of the state today is the humidity—or rather, the total lack of it. Local weather stations in places like Surry County and the surrounding foothills are reporting relative humidity levels dropping into the 20% to 25% range. When the air gets that dry, the pine needles and "one-hour fuels" (the tiny twigs and dead grass) become like tinder.
Wind is the other factor. We’ve been seeing southwest gusts hitting up to 25 mph. That’s enough to turn a small backyard brush fire into a fast-moving grass fire before you can even find your garden hose.
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Because of these conditions, the N.C. Forest Service and the National Weather Service have issued Fire Danger Statements for much of the central part of the state. Basically, they’re asking everyone to postpone any outdoor burning. If you were planning to clear that brush pile today, just don’t. It’s not worth the risk of a $250 fine or, worse, losing a shed.
Where the smoke is coming from
If you see smoke today, there’s a good chance it’s actually intentional. We are officially in the heart of "dormant season" burning. Agencies like The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission use this window—January through March—to conduct prescribed burns.
- Sandhills and Coastal Plains: These areas are hotspots for controlled burns right now. The longleaf pine ecosystem actually needs fire to survive. Without it, the forest floor gets choked with thickets, and iconic species like the Venus flytrap or the red-cockaded woodpecker lose their homes.
- Camp Lejeune: The Forestry Division there manages about 20,000 acres of burning annually. You’ll often see drift smoke over Highway 17 this time of year as they clear out fuel loads to prevent massive wildfires later in the summer.
- The Mountains: Things are a bit quieter in the west today. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are still recovering from the heavy impacts of the previous years' storms, and while fire danger is "moderate," the focus there is largely on road repairs and debris management rather than active fire.
Why the "Fire in North Carolina Today" Matters
You might wonder why we talk about fire when it’s 40 degrees out. It’s because North Carolina is actually one of the most fire-prone states in the South. Our "fire season" doesn't look like California's. It happens in the spring and fall when the leaves are dead but the trees haven't "greened up" yet to hold moisture.
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The N.C. Forest Service is currently monitoring several smaller incidents across the state. While there aren't any massive "complex" fires threatening major cities this afternoon, the National Preparedness Level for the Southern Region is sitting at a Level 1 to 3 depending on the specific district. This means resources are being pre-positioned. Firefighters are literally sitting in their trucks at district offices, ready to roll the second a call comes in because they know how fast things can jump today.
What about the big fires from last year?
A lot of people are still asking about the Black Cove and Deep Woods fires that caused so much stress in Henderson and Polk Counties. Those are long since contained (97% and 79% respectively before final close-out). However, the scars are still there. In areas hit by Hurricane Helene and subsequent dry spells, there is a massive amount of "blowdown"—trees that fell and are now drying out. This creates a "fuel jackstraw" that makes it incredibly hard for firefighters to get into the woods if a new spark starts.
How to Stay Safe Right Now
If you’re living in a high-risk area like the Piedmont or the Sandhills, you’ve gotta be smart.
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- Check the Map: Before you do anything with fire, look at the N.C. Forest Service's Public Wildfire Viewer. It shows active fires and where burn permits are currently being suspended.
- Ditch the Matches: Honestly, just don't burn trash or yard waste today. The low humidity means even a spark from a lawnmower blade hitting a rock could start a fire.
- Watch the Wind: If you see smoke across a highway, turn your headlights on. This is common near the coast during prescribed burn season. Don't stop on the shoulder to take photos; visibility can drop to near zero in seconds.
The fire risk is expected to stay elevated through the weekend until we get a shift in the weather pattern. For now, the best thing you can do is keep your gutters clear of dry pine needles and keep an eye on the local forecast.
To protect your property immediately, ensure you have a "defensible space" of at least 30 feet around your home where you've cleared away dead limbs and dry leaves. You can also sign up for Henderson County or Polk County emergency alerts if you're in the western part of the state, as they remain the most vulnerable to sudden shifts in terrain-driven fire behavior.