Welcome Fire & Rescue

03/28/2026

⚠️⚠️⚠️ ATTENTION ATTENTION ⚠️⚠️⚠️
‼️‼️‼️STATE-WIDE BURN BAN‼️‼️‼️
⛔️⛔️⛔️NO OUTDOOR BURNING WITHIN 100’ OF AN OCCUPIED DWELLING⛔️⛔️⛔️
The following message is from the North Carolina Forestry Service- Due to increased fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide, effective 6 pm. Saturday, March 28, until further notice.
“It is spring wildfire season in North Carolina, and we are seeing wildfire activity increase due to dry conditions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With these ongoing conditions, a statewide burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of wildfires starting and spreading quickly. Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state. It is imperative that folks adhere to this burn ban until further notice.”
Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in all 100 counties in this instance, 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. A local fire marshal has authority to issue a burn ban within that 100 feet space.
Local fire departments and law enforcement officers are assisting the N.C. Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban.
The N.C. Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions. Residents with questions regarding a specific county can contact their N.C. Forest Service county ranger or their county fire marshal’s office.

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

02/01/2026

❄️ Snow Is Falling – Please Stay Safe ❄️

Welcome Fire and Rescue would like to remind everyone that snowy conditions can make roads, walkways, and driveways dangerous. Please slow down while driving, allow extra stopping distance, and watch for icy spots.

As temperatures drop, many homes rely on propane or alternative heating sources. Improper use can increase the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Make sure all fuel-burning appliances are properly vented and never use grills, generators, or propane heaters indoors.

🛑 Be sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. If a CO alarm sounds, get outside to fresh air immediately and call 911.

If you’re heading outside, wear proper footwear to prevent slips and falls, and check on elderly neighbors or anyone who may need assistance.

Stay safe, stay warm, and look out for one another! 🚒

01/23/2026

🚨🚨🚨PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT🚨🚨🚨

While everyone is preparing for the major winter weather event we are facing this weekend, we want to take a moment and remind everyone that if you have purchased an alternative heating method (propane heater, buddy heaters, kerosene heater, or other fuel burning appliances) please purchase a carbon monoxide (CO) detector to have in your home. Specifically battery operated ones that are placed in common areas of your home.

12/29/2025

Thank you to all of our assisting companies last night. Great teamwork by all responding agencies.

Tonight we responded to assist Welcome Fire & Rescue with a serious MVA on I285 NB @ mm 93. Crews faced a complex extrication situation. Everyone worked well together.

12/25/2025

Wishing you a safe and Merry Christmas from your Welcome Fire & Rescue

12/16/2025

Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters in Salisbury during this difficult time. We are wishing each of them a full and speedy recovery, and we stand with them in support and solidarity.

(This story has been updated to reflect the latest count of injured fire personnel, which has increased.) SALISBURY — Eleven firefighters were injured while combating a blaze in Salisbury on Monday. Multiple residents inside the structure were transported for additional medical treatment as well. ...

11/28/2025

As we wake up this morning we are deeply saddened by the passing of retired member Jamie Everhart. Jamie served the Welcome community until December 2021. He served in many roles for our department not only as a firefighter but also as a board member. Please keep the Everhart family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

11/18/2025

Fire danger is elevated statewide. Outdoor burning is NOT recommended. Most dry grasses, dead leaves and other vegetative debris could easily ignite and spread quickly.

Discard cigarette butts, matches and other flammable materials in appropriate containers. Use extreme caution when handling potential ignition sources such as machinery and farm equipment.

Before burning, contact your local N.C. Forest Service county ranger’s office for guidance. Contacts: https://bit.ly/3lpoWR0

For safe outdoor burning and wildfire prevention best practices: www.preventwildfirenc.org.

10/02/2025

Welcome Fire & Rescue is proud to announce that we have officially taken delivery of our newly remounted rescue!

A huge thank you goes out to Anchor-Richie Emergency Vehicle Services, Inc. for their outstanding work in remounting and updating this unit. Their craftsmanship and attention to detail will allow us to continue providing high-quality service to our community for years to come.

We’re excited to get this rescue back in service and ready to respond when our community needs us most.

09/16/2025

Reminder that tonight at 7:30pm we will be having our Annual Meeting. Anyone who is a tax payer within Welcome Fire & Rescue response area is welcome to attend.

📣 Public Notice: Welcome Fire-Rescue Annual Meeting

Welcome Fire-Rescue will hold its Annual Meeting on:

🗓 Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
🕢 Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Welcome Fire Department
287 N. Leonard Road
Lexington, NC 27295

This meeting will include important discussions regarding any proposed changes to the fire tax or department by-laws, including a potential fire tax rate increase.

We strongly encourage all taxpayers within the Welcome Fire District to attend and participate in this important community meeting.

Your voice matters—help shape the future of your fire service.

09/15/2025

Welcome Fire and Rescue will be hosting a NC FF Fire and Life Safety Initiatives class. Anyone is welcome to attend.