Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department

05/29/2026

🚨 WE’RE HIRING! 🚒

Ready to serve your community and make a difference every day? We’re currently accepting applications for a Certified Firefighter position!

Check out the job posting here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/carrboro/jobs/5359284/firefighter-certified

05/28/2026

Always be sure to check the back seat of cars before exiting your vehicle! 🚗

The hottest months of the year are nearly here. 🔥🌡️

Parents — here is the data you need to know to keep your little ones safe this summer. ⬇️

05/22/2026

UPDATE: Friday, May 22 (8:50 a.m.) -- Traffic lights are temporarily out along Smith Level Road and NC Hwy 54, and potentially, other locations. Please use caution while driving this morning.

🚦When a traffic light is completely dark or malfunctioning, legally treat the intersection as a 4-way stop. All drivers must come to a complete, full stop and follow specific right-of-way rules to safely navigate the crossing.

Carrboro Fire-Rescue is monitoring multiple power outages affecting the area, mainly among Piedmont Electric customers.

05/20/2026

Update (5/21/2026 8:30am): The brush fire remains contained this morning. Hotspots continue to smolder, which means community members should expect smoky conditions to last for several days.
Please call 911 only if you observe fire outside of the burned area.
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UPDATE (5/20/2026 10:05pm): Fire crews on scene have fully contained the brush fire and Seawell School Road has reopened to traffic.
While this fire was initially dispatched to the Chapel Hill Fire Department, crews determined it’s in the Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department's jurisdiction, which means Carrboro Fire is the lead agency.
The NC Forest Service will remain on scene overnight.
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UPDATE: Wednesday, May 20 (7:45 p.m.) -- The fire along Sewell School Road has been contained, but residents may see smoke in the area due to backburning.
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Wednesday, May 20 (7:08 p.m.) -- Please avoid the area of Sewell School Road as Carrboro Fire-Rescue responds to a brush fire. Seawell School Road is closed between Seawell Elementary and Hanover Place.

05/20/2026

Wednesday, May 20 (7:08 p.m.) -- Please avoid the area of Sewell School Road as Carrboro Fire-Rescue responds to a brush fire. Seawell School Road is closed between Seawell Elementary and Hanover Place.

05/18/2026

🚨 KNOW WHEN TO CALL 911 🚨

Making the right call helps emergency crews respond faster to true emergencies. Here’s a quick guide on when to call 911 vs when to use non-emergency resources.

👂 WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU CALL:

When you call 911, trained telecommunicators gather critical information so the right responders and equipment can be sent as quickly as possible. Emergency units are often dispatched while you are still on the phone.

Please stay calm and answer questions clearly. The information you provide helps police officers, firefighters, and EMS crews prepare before they arrive.

05/18/2026

Monday, May 18 (2:20 p.m.) -- Please avoid the area of Homestead Road as Carrboro Fire-Rescue responds to a brush fire. Homestead Road is closed between Camelia Street and Stratford Drive.

05/15/2026

♨️ Sat. June 6, 2026 is Smoke Alarm Saturday ♨️

Carrboro Fire will be out at Ridgewood Mobile Home Park checking and installing free smoke alarms. We will also be partnering with Safe Kids Orange County who will offer safe medications, secure fi****ms, safe homes education and resources to the community. Items such as cable gun locks, lock boxes, and medication disposal kits will be available for free.

This event helps bring awareness for the need to have working smoke alarms in homes as well as providing important safety education and materials!

05/13/2026

🚒 Sign up now! Camp Ignite Chapel Hill is just over a month away 🔥

Campers will learn real firefighting skills, build confidence, meet amazing mentors, and experience what it’s like to serve their community alongside local firefighters.

👧 Open to CHCCS high school girls
📍 Chapel Hill High School
📅 June 15–18, 2026
💥 Free to attend

Apply now: campignitechapelhill.org

05/05/2026

Update (6 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2026) -- The origin and cause investigation has been completed. The fire cause remains undetermined.
There is no evidence of foul play, and the fire is believed to be accidental in nature based on available evidence.

Further investigative processes, including those related to the fatality, remain under the jurisdiction of law enforcement and the medical examiner.

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Update (9 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2026) -- A total of 41 firefighters responded to the incident. The fire was brought under control in less than 60 minutes.

The deceased has been identified as Thomas Owens Jr., a 53-year-old resident of Carrboro.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Office of the State Fire Marshal is assisting with the investigation.