Propst Crossroads Fire Department

06/01/2026

🚒 Tuesday Night Training: May 26, 2026

Search & Rescue with the Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) 🔥

Practicing communication, teamwork, and victim location in low-visibility conditions. Training hard so we're ready when it matters most.

05/29/2026

🎉 School’s out — let’s ride safely this summer! 🚲

Don’t forget our FREE Kids Bike Safety Class presented by Catawba County Emergency Services this SATURDAY at Mountain Creek Park. Kids will learn important bicycle safety skills and put them into practice in a fun bike rodeo obstacle course.

FREE helmets will be available for the first 25 kids in attendance courtesy of Safe Kids Catawba County.

Full details at www.facebook.com/events/1432806641863105.

05/13/2026

☀️ Summer Feeding 2026 is almost here!

Catawba County Schools is proud to provide nutritious summer meals for all children 18 and under. 🍎🥪

This year’s program includes:
✔️ Expanded pickup times (3:30–5:30 PM on Mondays & Thursdays)
✔️ More convenient distribution locations
✔️ A simplified one-time registration process for the entire summer

📍 New and expanded locations include Bunker Hill High, Fred T. Foard High, the Catawba County Firefighters Museum, Bandys High, Tuttle Elementary and NorthStar Academy.

🔗 Registration Link: http://bit.ly/4nwnyMu

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Propst Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department ❤️🚒

Today we honor the incredible mothers and mother figures who are such a vital part of our fire family. Your strength, love, and support mean more than words can say, not just today, but every day.

Thank you for all you do to keep our families and community strong. We appreciate you today and always.

05/03/2026

N.C. Forest Service Lifts Burn Ban for 81 Counties Effective Sunday, May 3

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Forest Service has lifted the statewide ban on all open burning for 81 counties, effective at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

The ban, which went into effect on March 28 due to extremely hazardous fire conditions caused by prolonged drought, is being lifted in most of the state following recent rainfall and improved conditions. However, it remains in effect for the following 19 counties until further notice:

- Alamance
- Anson
- Cabarrus
- Chatham
- Davidson
- Davie
- Forsyth
- Gaston
- Guilford
- Iredell
- Mecklenburg
- Montgomery
- Moore
- Randolph
- Rockingham
- Rowan
- Stanly
- Stokes
- Union

**Important Reminders for Allowed Counties:**

- The lifting of the ban does **not** apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. Local fire marshals still have authority to issue or restrict burning in those areas.
- All previously issued burn permits were canceled when the statewide ban began. Residents in the 81 counties where the ban has been lifted must obtain a new burn permit before conducting any open burning.
- Burn permits are available online at the NC Forest Service permit portal or through authorized local permitting agents.

This is a significant relief for many landowners, farmers, and residents who rely on controlled burning for land management, debris removal, and forestry practices.

Residents are still strongly encouraged to use extreme caution when burning, follow all permit conditions, and monitor local weather and fire danger ratings.

For the most up-to-date information on burn bans and fire danger in your area, check with your local NC Forest Service county ranger or visit the official NC Forest Service resources.

further

04/28/2026

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

03/28/2026

🔥 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 🔥

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

03/28/2026

Effective at 6:00 p.m. on March 28, 2026, the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a countywide prohibition on all open burning. The ban applies to all areas of Catawba County, including locations within 100 feet of any structure, and remains in effect regardless of previously issued burning permits.

The burn ban is enacted under the authority of the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office in accordance with Section 307 of the 2018 North Carolina Fire Code. The measure is intended to reduce the risk of wildfire ignition and spread amid ongoing dry weather conditions affecting the region.

This local action follows a broader burn ban issued the same day by the North Carolina Forest Service, which similarly prohibits all open burning, cancels existing permits, and suspends the issuance of new permits due to elevated fire danger.

Open burning, as defined under the ban, includes the burning of yard debris such as leaves, branches, and other vegetative matter, as well as recreational fires, bonfires, and the use of outdoor fireplaces. The restriction does not extend to cooking-related fires, including the use of gas, pellet, or charcoal grills, as well as outdoor cookers and smokers. However, the burning of non-vegetative materials—including trash, construction debris, tires, plastics, and paper products—always remains illegal.

The ban will remain in place until further notice. Enforcement efforts will be carried out by local fire departments and law enforcement agencies in coordination with the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office and the North Carolina Forest Service. Violations may result in fines and applicable court costs.

Residents seeking further details regarding the statewide burn ban and related fire prevention initiatives can be found on the North Carolina Forest Service website at http://ncforestservice.gov under the News section or contact your local fire department.

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

Do NOT burn!

The Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office would like to inform residents that Catawba County is not currently under a burn ban. However, due to ongoing dry conditions and an increased wildfire risk, residents are strongly urged to exercise extreme caution when conducting any outdoor burning. You are responsible for any damage your fire may cause to other properties.

Even in the absence of an official burn ban, environmental factors such as low humidity, dry vegetation, and gusty winds can cause fires to spread rapidly and become difficult to control. The Fire Marshal’s Office encourages all residents to carefully evaluate conditions before burning and to follow all local and state regulations.

Safety reminders for outdoor burning include:
· Never leave a fire unattended
· Keep a water source or fire extinguisher readily available
· Avoid burning on windy days
· Clear the area around the burn site
· Ensure fires are completely extinguished before leaving the area
· You can only burn natural vegetation regardless of a burn ban. (Leaves, Limbs, etc.)

Residents are also encouraged to stay informed by visiting the North Carolina Forest Service website at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service for the latest updates on fire danger conditions, burn permits, and safety guidelines.

The Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office will continue to monitor conditions closely and will provide updates if restrictions become necessary.