Upper Hominy Fire and Rescue Auxiliary

05/25/2026

May’s meeting is, Tuesday May 26th.

Please plan to attend our meeting on Tuesday, May 26th, 2026 at 7:00pm

05/09/2026

Plant Sale
Today, May 9, 2026

04/27/2026

04/19/2026

April’s meeting is, Tuesday April 21st

Please plan to attend our meeting on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 at 7:00pm. The meeting was moved up one week. We will be finalizing all the preparations for the plant sale that is May 9th

04/15/2026

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

03/29/2026

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

🔥Due to increased fire danger the week of March 23, the Buncombe County Fire Marshal is discouraging open burning until conditions improve. A significant lack of rainfall, plus hot, dry, and breezy conditions are creating dangerous fire conditions.

Dry grasses, dead leaves, and other vegetative debris can ignite easily and spread quickly.

Please postpone outdoor burning and let yard debris burns wait. If a burn is needed, use extreme caution and take proper precautions with all outdoor fires. Use extreme caution when handling potential ignition sources such as machinery and farm equipment.

Though dangers are increased, conditions do not warrant a ban at this time. Help emergency crews protect you and your property by refraining from burning is possible.

A reminder:

👉All fires must be attended and have a means of extinguishment on hand.

👉Keep fires small and manageable.

👉Keep fires away from combustible vegetation and structures, at least 25 feet.

👉Burning of all material is prohibited where there is public pickup for yard waste, including the City of Asheville and other municipalities.

👉Only the burning of natural vegetation is allowed.

Before burning, residents can call the Open Burning Hotline at 828-250-6767 to see if burning is allowed that day. More open burning guidelines are found on buncombenc.gov.

03/24/2026

March’s meeting is, Tuesday March 24th.

Please plan to attend our meeting on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 at 7:00pm

01/26/2026

Cancelled
January’s meeting, Tuesday January 27th has been cancelled due to storm Fern.

Please plan to attend our next meeting on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 at 7pm