Extreme heat, a Stage 1 water conservation alert, and four active burn bans are in place as dry conditions worsen.
Supply, NC — Brunswick County enters the new week under a combination of extreme heat, drought‑driven water restrictions, and a growing number of local burn bans and — we are only in June, folks — with officials urging residents to take the conditions seriously as temperatures push toward triple digits and rainfall remains scarce.
The heat wave, which began late last week, continues to hold the Cape Fear region under temperatures near 100°, creating hazardous conditions for outdoor activities and our seniors and babies without access to cooling. Emergency officials warn that heat‑related illness can develop quickly, especially during prolonged exposure or strenuous activity.
At the same time, Brunswick County Public Utilities’ Stage 1 Water Conservation Alert remains in effect for all county customers, including those served by Bald Head Island, Holden Beach, Oak Island, and Ocean Isle Beach. The alert asks residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce non‑essential water use, especially irrigation due to high demand and ongoing dry weather. County officials say the system is stable but stressed, and conservation now helps prevent mandatory restrictions later.
Brunswick County Public Utilities provides water service in unincorporated portions of the county as well as the following communities: Boiling Spring Lakes, Bolivia, Calabash, Carolina Shores, Caswell Beach, Navassa, Northwest, Sandy Creek, Shallotte, Sunset Harbor, Southport, St. James, Sunset Beach, and Varnamtown. This means the Stage 1 alert applies across a wide portion of the county’s residential and commercial customers.
Compounding the dry conditions, multiple jurisdictions have now enacted burn bans:
- Leland burn ban – A temporary town‑wide ban issued June 9 remains in effect.
- Oak Island burn ban – A temporary ban issued June 8 applies to all areas within town limits.
- Shallotte burn ban – A local ban issued June 10 covers all properties within town limits.
- Unincorporated Brunswick County – A countywide ban remains active for all areas outside municipal boundaries.
Residents should check with their local fire department to confirm whether fire pits, outdoor grills, and burn barrels are covered under each jurisdiction’s ban, as rules can vary from town to town. Some bans prohibit all open flames, while others allow certain devices if they have a lid, spark screen, or shut‑off valve.
Fire officials across the region report that vegetation is extremely dry, and even small outdoor fires can spread rapidly in the current weather pattern. Local departments have responded to multiple brush‑fire calls in recent days, underscoring the elevated risk.
County leaders say they will continue monitoring conditions closely but caution that none of the advisories are expected to lift until the region receives meaningful rainfall and temperatures moderate.
Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak heat, follow water‑saving practices, and comply with all local burn bans until conditions improve.
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