State officials are expected to carry out a controlled burn at Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area on Tuesday afternoon.

The fire will be monitored by the North Carolina Forest Service and the State Parks and will cause the park to be closed during the burn.

Officials say about 30 acres near the peak of the mountain is scheduled to be included in the controlled fire in hopes of reducing the risk of wildfires. A similar event was carried out at the park area adjacent to the Chapel Hill Public Library on Monday evening.

Most of the burn at Occoneechee will be contained on the north side of the mountain, according to a release.

“The planned burn is intended to reduce a buildup of hardwood leaves that could serve as fuel for fires,” officials said a release. “In addition to reducing fire hazards, the burn is expected to help with the regeneration of oaks in the area by removing invasive plants and providing a prepared bed for easier seed germination.”

Controlled burns are typically carried out every seven to 10 years, according to the state.

If wind conditions remain as expected, the burn will start in the afternoon and be completed before the end of business on Tuesday. Residual smoke could linger until 7 p.m.

Photo via Town of Hillsborough

Related Stories
‹
Sheriff's Office Charges Hillsborough Man in Coleman Loop Road Fire and Residence Break-Ins
The Orange County Sheriff's Office charged a Hillsborough man related to a recent fire at a business complex and a series of home break-ins.
Bottle Rockets May Have Caused Fire at Gateway Center in Hillsborough
Illegal fireworks may have ignited a fire that caused an estimated $30,000 in damage to a building in downtown Hillsborough on July 4. A release says remains of bottle rockets were found of the roof of the Gateway Center and in the parking lot between the building and the Eno River Parking Deck. The fire […]
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Jamezetta Bedford Crisis Care Center Set for Oct. 22
Orange County will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Jamezetta Bedford Crisis Care Center Thursday, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. The new facility will be on Waterstone Drive in Hillsborough, next to the UNC Hospitals Hillsborough campus. “This center represents the kind of compassionate, community-focused care our residents deserve,” said Jean Hamilton, chair of the […]
Hillsborough Mayor Calls for Release of 19-Year-Old Orange High School Graduate Detained by ICE
Hillsborough mayor Mark Bell has issued a statement in support of 19-year-old Isaac Gallegos, an Orange High School graduate and Hillsborough resident who is currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gallegos has been detained since Wednesday, Oct. 7. Read Bell’s full statement below: On behalf of the Town of Hillsborough, I […]
Local Government Meetings: October 12-16, 2026
This week in local government: property valuation in Orange County, Chatham Park in Pittsboro, and Churton Street's future in Hillsborough.
What's Open or Closed on Labor Day? Holiday to Impact Local Government Services
Monday marks the observance of Labor Day, which is meant to celebrate the contribution of workers and employees across the United States. With that, the local governments in Orange County will be giving many of their employees the day off, which will affect certain local government services. Ahead of the holiday on Monday, Sep. 7, […]
'A Beautiful and Lasting Tribute': New Orange County Crisis Diversion Center Named in Jamezetta Bedford's Honor
Jamezetta Bedford's Orange County commissioner colleagues recently dedicated the future crisis diversion facility in her honor and memory.
Orange County Sheriff: Student Assaults Staff Members at Partnership Academy
A School Resource Officer from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office detained a student at Hillsborough’s Partnership Academy Tuesday after the student allegedly assaulted two staff members, per a release. The sheriff’s office says the SRO will now coordinate with the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention regarding legal consequences. After the assault, […]
The Morning News: Mark Chilton Retiring, UNC Returning
In today's news: longtime Orange County Register of Deeds Mark Chilton announces he's stepping down, a few months before the end of his term.
Red Cross Declares Blood Crisis: Here's Where You Can Donate Locally
The American Red Cross is calling for immediate blood donations, declaring a national blood crisis for the second time in history.
›