Update: The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest has lifted the forest-wide burn ban effective today.

—

04/16/2026

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is enacting a forest-wide burn ban starting tomorrow, April 17, 2026, until further notice due to elevated wildfire risk. Under the ban, campfires are prohibited along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in Georgia, but camp stoves are allowed.

Last week, ATC ridgerunners encountered 10 unattended campfires on the A.T. Always make sure your fire is completely out and cold before leaving it unattended.

A.T. hikers should always refrain from having campfires during times of high fire danger, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. Periods of hot, dry, windy weather mean high fire danger. Note that short periods of rain do not necessarily lower fire risk.

The ATC urges hikers to not have campfires at any time in areas damaged by Hurricane Helene (Davenport Gap near I-40 to Pearisburg, VA), due to the heightened fire risk posed by downed trees and storm debris.

Several other states and sections of the A.T. have burn bans in effect already, including North Carolina.

Learn more about wildfire risk on the A.T. and safety when hiking through Helene-damaged areas.

The post Georgia: Burn Ban Lifted first appeared on Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Update: Elevated fire risk continues to be a concern for the A.T. from northern Virginia into Massachusetts. Hikers should continue to not have campfires and be extremely careful when using camp stoves. Areas with damage from Hurricane Helene are at a heightened risk of wildfire due to all the trees that were blown over in the storm (these make the perfect fuel for fires to spread quickly and burn hot). Learn more about wildfire safety here. Visit weather.gov for the latest forecast.

—

04/17/2026

Update: Elevated fire risk continues to be a concern for the A.T. from Georgia through Pennsylvania. Burn bans are in effect for the A.T. in Georgia, North Caroline, the Triple Crown area of Virginia, and Shenandoah National Park.  Hikers should continue to not have campfires and be extremely careful when using camp stoves. Areas with damage from Hurricane Helene are at a heightened risk of wildfire due to all the trees that were blown over in the storm (these make the perfect fuel for fires to spread quickly and burn hot). Learn more about wildfire safety here. Visit weather.gov for the latest forecast.

—

04/13/2026

The National Weather Service has issued special weather statements regarding the elevated fire risk for areas along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from Tennessee through central Pennsylvania, and a red flag warning for the A.T. in Georgia. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring, which are generally a combination of low humidity, warm temperatures, and strong winds.

These warnings are in place for most of the effected counties into this evening. However, fire weather conditions may continue for the rest of the week in some areas.

There have already been several wildfires near the A.T. in Georgia and North Carolina, and there’s a wildfire burning along the Trail in Pennsylvania. Both Pennsylvania and Virginia have seasonal burn bans in place.

Hikers should not have campfires and be extremely careful when using camp stoves. Areas with damage from Hurricane Helene are at a heightened risk of wildfire due to all the trees that were blown over in the storm (these make the perfect fuel for fires to spread quickly and burn hot). Learn more about wildfire safety here. Visit weather.gov for the latest forecast.

The post VA-MA: Elevated Fire Risk first appeared on Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Update: As of this morning, the burn ban for the National Forests of North Carolina is lifted. The statewide burn ban in North Carolina was lifted yesterday, too, thanks to recent rain. Campfires are once again allowed along the A.T. from the GA/NC state line to Fontana Dam (NOBO miles 78.3 to 167).

Burn bans are still in effect in the following sections of the southern A.T.:

• In Georgia
• Effectively from Davenport Gap to Doll Flats (NOBO miles 239.4 to 392.6).
  • Note that this section is mostly right along the NC/TN state line. There is still a burn ban in effect in Cherokee National Forest in TN. It is up to hikers to know which state they are in. Remember, too, that fire danger does not stop and end at state lines.
• The Roan Highlands (this is a five year burn ban)
• The Virginia Triple Crown area

A.T. hikers should always refrain from having campfires during times of high fire danger, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. High fire danger means periods of hot, dry, windy weather. Note that short periods of rain do not necessarily lower fire risk. ATC urges hikers to not have campfires at anytime in areas damaged by Hurricane Helene, due to the heightened fire risk posed by downed trees and storm debris (Davenport Gap to Pearisburg, VA).

Learn more about wildfire risk on the A.T. and safety when hiking through Helene-damaged areas.

—

04/23/2026

Update: Cherokee National Forest is also enacting a forest-wide burn ban starting tomorrow. This means that, except for in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, campfires are not allowed along the A.T. from Georgia to the the Tennessee/Virginia state line (NOBO miles 0.0 to 167 and 239.4 to 467.3).

There is a burn ban in effect for Georgia as well. Reminder that there is already a five year burn ban in effect on the A.T. in the Roan Highlands, and areas damaged by Hurricane Helene are especially prone to wildfires due to storm debris.

—

04/14/2026

Update: The National Forests of North Carolina are enacting a forest-wide burn ban starting tomorrow, April 15, 2026 until further notice. Under the ban, campfires are prohibited along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in the following sections, but camp stoves are allowed. The statewide burn ban is still in effect, too.

• From the GA/NC state line to Fontana Dam (NOBO miles 78.3 to 167).
• Effectively from Davenport Gap to Doll Flats (NOBO miles 239.4 to 392.6).
  • Note that this section is mostly right along the NC/TN state line. It is up to hikers to know which state they are in. Remember, too, that fire danger does not stop and end at state lines.
• Reminder that there is already a five year burn ban in effect on the A.T. in the Roan Highlands.

A.T. hikers should always refrain from having campfires during times of high fire danger, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. High fire danger means periods of hot, dry, windy weather. Note that short periods of rain do not necessarily lower fire risk. ATC urges hikers to not have campfires at anytime in areas damaged by Hurricane Helene, due to the heightened fire risk posed by downed trees and storm debris (Davenport Gap to Pearisburg, VA).

Learn more about wildfire risk on the A.T. and safety when hiking through Helene-damaged areas.

—

04/02/2026

Update: Due to high wildfire risk, the North Carolina Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning statewide, effective 6PM Saturday, March 28 until further notice. The burn ban includes no campfires, no open-flame stoves (fuel stoves are permitted), and no fireworks or sparklers.

Avery and Mitchell counties also have their own, more restrictive burn bans in place that apply to the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from approximately Indian Grave Gap to Doll Flats (NOBO miles 352.9 to 392.6). There is also a five year burn ban on the A.T. from Hughes Gap to Doll Flats.

A.T. hikers should always refrain from having campfires during times of high fire danger, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. High fire danger means periods of hot, dry, windy weather. Note that short periods of rain do not necessarily lower fire risk. ATC urges hikers to not have campfires at anytime in areas damaged by Hurricane Helene, due to the heightened fire risk posed by downed trees and storm debris (Davenport Gap to Pearisburg, VA).

Learn more about wildfire risk on the A.T. and safety when hiking through Helene-damaged areas.

The post North Carolina: Burn Ban Lifted first appeared on Appalachian Trail Conservancy.