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Watauga Ranger District Fire Danger & Restrictions
Stage 2Safety brief
Updated
Low fire danger today.
Fire danger is low in the Watauga Ranger District. Campfires and stove fires are prohibited in the Roan Mountain area. Fireworks and pyrotechnic devices are also prohibited. Check specific campground rules before your visit.
Restrictions
Campfires and Stoves
Equipment and Work
Shooting and Closures
Backcountry campfiresProhibited
Campfires prohibited in Roan Mountain area
Campground campfiresProhibited
Campfires prohibited in Roan Mountain area
Propane fuel and camp stovesProhibited
Stove fires prohibited in Roan Mountain area
ExplosivesProhibited
Fireworks and pyrotechnic devices prohibited
Forest closures and access limitsAllowed
Roan Mountain area subject to fire restrictions; Appalachian Trail access continues
Conditions
- Restrictions apply to Roan Mountain area as shown on attached map
Restrictions last checked
Near-surface wildfire smoke forecast
Estimated AQI*
2max avg 0.3 µg/m³ around 7 PM
Good wildfire smoke
Forecast updated Sep 9, 2026, 6:59 PM
* Estimated AQI is an equivalent interpretation of forecast wildfire-smoke PM2.5 only; it is not an observed or official AQI reading.
| Local time | District average | p10 | p90 | Estimated AQI* | Smoke category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 7:00 PM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 8:00 PM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 9:00 PM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 10:00 PM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 11:00 PM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 12:00 AM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 1:00 AM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 2:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 3:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 4:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 5:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 6:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 7:00 AM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 8:00 AM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 9:00 AM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 10:00 AM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 11:00 AM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 12:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 1:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 2:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 3:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 4:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 5:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 6:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
* Estimated AQI is an equivalent interpretation of forecast wildfire-smoke PM2.5 only; it is not an observed or official AQI reading. HRRR forecasts near-ground smoke; district values are area-weighted, conditions vary by location, and other pollution sources are not included.
Check current observed air quality on AirNow (opens in a new tab)Recent changes
30-day fire danger history
Last 30 days
Stable at Low since Aug 11.
Ratings and restrictions are collected from official source pages and may lag agency updates. Always confirm current fire restrictions, closures, evacuation notices, and emergency guidance with the responsible agency before starting a trip.
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