The Dover Volunteer Fire Department

05/03/2026

FYI.

04/28/2026

Still no burning. We will let y’all know when the ban is lifted

The statewide burn ban remains in effect until further notice despite weekend rain in some areas. Persistent dry weather and increasing rainfall deficits from the last several months have left most of the state needing 10 inches of rain or more.

“While the rainfall we received over the weekend was a welcome sight, it offered little to no relief from widespread drought conditions while being nowhere near enough to reduce our wildfire risk,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Even the areas that received the heaviest amount of rain will quickly dry out from the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Until we get some additional rain and see more green-up in our forests, holding the burn ban in place statewide is the best option right now.”

While green-up and leaf-out are progressing at normal rate, low soil moisture, dry surface fuels and persistent low humidity are contributing to wildfire activity. For Western North Carolina, excessive forest fuels from Hurricane Helene are more available now than they were in 2025, low water levels in coastal areas have helped produce intense fire behavior where ground fire will likely be a long-term issue, and the Piedmont experienced 87 new wildfire starts over the weekend alone. Extended attack and mop-up efforts will be taxing and long-winded until drought conditions improve.

Read news release: https://bit.ly/497dNht

04/01/2026

Public service announcement.

Statewide burn ban is in effect.

Please do not burn until after we get some rain. For the rules on what you can and cannot do please see the North Carolina Forest Service announcements.

Best bet is do not burn until the burn ban is lifted.

State of North Carolina:

A statewide ban on open burning is in effect for all 100 counties in North Carolina, starting March 28, 2026, until further notice, due to high wildfire risks. All burning permits are canceled. Violators face a $100 fine plus $183 in court costs, and potentially fire suppression costs.

02/02/2026

Special thanks to some of our volunteers DL and Nick for clearing the front pad at the Firehouse. As soon as the towns tractor is back in service they said they would come help too.

02/01/2026

As the temperature drops tonight the bad roads will become worse. Please stay off the roads. Icy conditions will replace the snow on the roads. By the way it appears we received 13 inches of snow. 🥶

01/31/2026

This weekend will be a major event, and will bleed into next week. Please be careful, emergency services may be delayed, due to conditions.


Craven County Declares State of Emergency

Craven County Board of Commissioners Chairman Denny Bucher has declared a State of Emergency for Craven County effective at 5 PM on Friday, January 30, 2026 in advance of the anticipated significant winter weather event. The State of Emergency will remain in effect until further notice.

The National Weather Service continues to predict extreme cold, hazardous wind gusts, and up to 12 inches or more of snow accumulation. Driving conditions will be extremely dangerous Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning as snow will rapidly accumulate and wind will affect visibility. Extreme cold temperatures will be present for an extended period into the next week.

“I encourage all citizens to remain vigilant. Please heed all advice from local authorities, and stay home during this event so our first responders and critical personnel can do their work,” said Dennis Bucher, Craven County Board of Commissioners Chairman.

County Services:
• Trash & Recycling - Craven County Solid Waste Convenience Centers will be open on Saturday, January 31, from 7 AM until 11 AM. This may change on short notice. Additional notice will be provided later in the weekend related to curbside trash and recycling pickups next week.
• Parks & Recreation Facilities – All Craven County parks, programs, and facilities will be closed on Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1.
• Offices & Services – Updates will be issued later in the weekend related to general county services.
• Emergency Services – Essential services, such as law enforcement and first responders, will remain operational. Call 911 if you need emergency assistance.

Residents should:
• Avoid travel and shelter in place during this event. Roadway conditions will deteriorate early Saturday and throughout the weekend. Staying off the roads allows first responders, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and other critical personnel to work more safely to clear roads and respond to emergencies.
• Have a plan to stay warm should you lose power. Finalize plans before Friday night.
• With an extended period of cold temperatures, some bodies of water will form a thin layer of ice. Please stay off the ice, and ensure your pets and children remain off the ice, as it will be unable to support any weight.
• Stock up on food, water, and essential supplies for several days, as the roads may remain hazardous for an extended period due to cold temperatures.
• Check your disaster kit.
• Prepare for frozen water pipes. Wrap exposed pipes with insulation or other available materials, such as towels. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow heat to circulate. Continuously drip water through faucets. If pipes freeze, a hair dryer can be used to thaw them.
• Check in on family and neighbors and bring pets indoors.

Be Prepared
For additional winter weather preparedness resources, visit:
• Road Conditions: https://drivenc.gov/
• National Weather Service weather safety: https://www.weather.gov/safety/
• North Carolina Department of Public Safety preparedness: https://www.readync.gov/
• FEMA’s Winter preparedness page: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather

Stay Informed
• Stay updated by viewing Craven County’s page (https://www.facebook.com/cravencounty/), X page (https://x.com/cravencountync), and website (https://www.cravencountync.gov/).
• Register for emergency notifications via text, email, and phone calls through the CodeRed Emergency Notification System, visit https://accountportal.onsolve.net/cravencountync

Craven County Government is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide additional updates as they become available.

View the official State of Emergency here:
https://www.cravencountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17653/Release2_WinterStorm-1302026--State-of-Emergency

12/25/2025

As the tradition continues. This years Christmas Cheer impacted about 50 children, From New Bern, Jasper, Cove City, Fort Barnwell and Dover. We are very fortunate to continue this. Thanks to all that have helped and participated we could not do it without your support.

12/25/2025

As the tradition continues. This years Christmas Cheer impacted about 50 children, From New Bern, Jasper, Cove City, Fort Barnwell and Dover. We are very fortunate to continue this. Thanks to all that have helped and participated we could not do it without your support.

12/24/2025

The weather doesn’t feel much like Christmas, but that’s OK, remember the reason for the season. We will be spreading Christmas spirits this evening around the district. If you hear us or see us, we’re just out wishing you guys a safe and merry Christmas. 

12/17/2025

PSA.. The county is doing testing with the fire alarm, you may be hearing it going off several times today.