Fire Danger Digest
North Carolina’s official source for fire danger forecasts
Hosted by NC State Climate Office, Supported by NC Forest Service
This tool is a supplement to our public-facing fire danger map, and it provides a more detailed look at recent and upcoming fire danger.

These ratings are based on the Energy Release Component -- a measure of potential fire intensity based on accumulated dryness in forest fuels -- as calculated at local weather stations within each of the state's Fire Danger Rating Areas. This matrix is based on Fuel Model Z, which includes 1-hour, 10-hour, 100-hour, and 1000-hour dead fuels.

Hover over the legend below for an interpretation of each Adjective Rating category:
Low
Fuels do not ignite readily from small firebrands, although a more intense heat source, such as lightning, may start fires in duff or punky wood.
Moderate
Fires can start from most accidental causes, but with the exception of lightning fires in some areas, the number of fire starts is generally low.
High
All fine, dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes. Unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape.
Very High
Fires start easily from all causes and immediately after ignition, spread rapidly, increasing quickly in intensity. Spot fires are a constant danger.
Extreme
Fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious.
Recent Data
Calculated from hourly estimates
Forecast Data
Calculated using hourly forecasts
FDRA
WED
APR 29
THU
APR 30
FRI
MAY 1
SAT
MAY 2
SUN
MAY 3
MON
MAY 4
TUE
MAY 5
WED
MAY 6
THU
MAY 7
FRI
MAY 8
SAT
MAY 9
SUN
MAY 10
MON
MAY 11
TUE
MAY 12
Southern Highlands
M
H
H
H
V
E
E
H
L
L
M
L
L
M
Central Mountains
H
H
H
H
V
V
V
H
L
M
M
M
L
M
Northern Highlands
M
H
H
H
V
V
E
V
L
M
M
M
L
M
Blue Ridge
M
H
H
H
H
V
V
H
L
M
M
M
L
M
Western Piedmont
L
M
M
M
M
V
V
H
L
M
M
L
L
M
Sandhills
M
M
M
L
M
H
H
M
L
M
L
L
L
M
Eastern Piedmont
M
M
M
L
M
H
H
H
L
M
M
M
L
L
Southern Coast
M
M
M
L
M
M
M
M
L
L
L
L
L
L
Northern Coast
M
M
M
L
M
M
H
M
M
M
L
L
L
L