Meat Camp Fire Department

05/28/2026

One of our very own, we are proud of you Caleb!

WATAUGA — A newly created position with the North Carolina Forest Service in Watauga County has proved its worth during fire season, and longtime volunteer firefighter Caleb Winkler is the

05/20/2026

05/03/2026

State wide burn ban LIFTED in Watauga County.

With dryer than normal conditions and high winds always practice safe burning and have a valid burning permit!

05/01/2026

Just 2 weeks out! Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a safe and fun filled morning!

We are two weeks out from this year's Emergency Fest at Watauga High School! Get ready to get up close to some BIG TRUCKS and some local First Responder Rock Stars!!! Do you have what it takes to be a hero? Come hang out with some of ours! 10:00-1:00 on Saturday, May 16th!

04/16/2026

We would like to recognize Amy Parsons in the achievement of “State Of North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician”. The state E.M.T. course is a timely and intense training course ranging 190-250 credit hours. Amy went above and beyond in representing our community in achieving this title and training and we are grateful. Amy took her valuable time and achieved this training so that she could serve Meat Camp Fire citizens to the best of her ability. Please join us in recognizing and congratulating her of this achievement.

Thank you Amy for being

04/15/2026

**NOTE**
Fires within 100’ of a home (ie: small campfires) will now be banned as well.

There is a BURN BAN being issued for Watauga County, effective at 5:00 pm tonight, Wednesday, April 15th. It will run concurrent to the state ban. This INCLUDES fires within 100 feet of structures. Until further notice, all burn permits are cancelled.

04/14/2026

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.

04/10/2026

On Thursday evening our volunteers alongside crews from North Carolina Forest Service, Boone Fire Department, Zionville Fire Dept, Watauga Rescue and Oregon ODF worked to contain an outside fire that started in the ditch line of Meat Camp Rd. Crews contained the 2.5 acre fire in just 2 hours.

N.C. Forest Service
Town of Boone Fire Department
Zionville Volunteer Fire Department
Watauga County Rescue Squad
Oregon Department of Forestry

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

03/19/2026

Come join us on Saturday, May 16th at Watauga High School for the coolest party in town! It's educational fun for the whole family! We can't wait to see you!