Laurel Fire Dept

05/13/2026

Congratulations to the newest paramedics!

Tonight we celebrated the graduation of the newest group of paramedics and especially our very own Spencer Corn, as well as Taylor Trantham from Spring Creek FD and Zayde Haynie with Marshall FD

We would like to congratulate the entire class on a job well done and wish them the best in their upcoming careers!

05/02/2026

04/27/2026

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

04/11/2026

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.

04/06/2026

As of April 6, 2026, the state-issued ban on open burning remains in effect for all 100 counties. The ban was enacted Saturday, March 28 due to hazardous forest fire conditions.

The ban prohibits outdoor burning of any kind, anywhere in the state, until further notice.

For answers to frequently asked questions: https://bit.ly/4dlzcXv

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

04/04/2026

The statewide burn ban is still in effect

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

04/02/2026

Madison County Sheriff’s Office Announces Anonymous Crime Tip Line

Sheriff Buddy Harwood announced that the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has set up a new anonymous crime tip phone line to encourage community members to share information about criminal activity. This line gives people a safe and confidential way to provide tips without revealing who they are. No caller ID information is displayed or captured.
Madison County NC Crime Tip Line:(828) 649-1822
This phone line is in addition to the anonymous text-based “Submit a Tip” feature already available through the Madison County Sheriff’s Office mobile app, giving residents more convenient options to share information.
The tip line is for non-emergency information only. If you have an active situation or need immediate law enforcement response, please call 911.
Tips received through the line will be reviewed by investigators and may help with current or future cases. Sheriff Harwood emphasized that community involvement remains essential to keeping Madison County a safe and desirable place to live, work, worship, and enjoy everyday life.