Albemarle Observer

04/16/2026

Near record warmth continues again today, with a moderate heat risk for areas away from the coast.

04/15/2026

Attention Residents.

04/15/2026

04/15/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C8C55UHB3/

Since the state-issued ban on open burning was enacted March 28, a total of 554 wildfires has burned more than 2,200 acres across the state. With little rainfall or improvement expected over the next 7-10 days, the statewide burn ban and enforcement action will continue until further notice.

Of the 554 wildfires that have burned since the burn ban took effect, only four have been determined to be the result of lightning strikes. Preliminary data indicates that 152 of those 554 wildfires were determined to be human caused, with the remainder listed as unknown or undetermined, likely pending law enforcement investigation and action. Since the state’s burn ban took effect, 150 citations have been issued for illegal burning.

During a state-issued burn ban, the same N.C. Forest Service personnel providing initial and extended attack for wildfire response are providing the necessary enforcement action to support the ban on open burning. Reducing the number of new ignitions is critical for sustaining adequate resource availability for an extended period, making state-issued bans a necessary tool for keeping wildfires contained and as small as possible until fully extinguished.

The public is urged to abide by the burn ban and to use extreme caution with farm equipment, machines, mowers, vehicles on dry grass, smoking materials such as ci******es, anything that can throw a spark. In current high-risk conditions, these could be a possible fire source. While not classified as open burning and not affected by the state’s ban on open burning, they are still contributors to new fire starts across the state.

Read news release: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2026/04/14/statewide-burn-ban-and-enforcement-continue-dry-conditions-persist

04/14/2026

04/11/2026

POWER HAS BEEN RESTORED.
OUTAGE CAUSE: DAMAGED INSULATOR
2,158 members in mainland Hyde County are experiencing a power outage impacting our Mattamuskeet, Fairfield, Engelhard and Swindell Fork substations. Crews have been dispatched.

04/10/2026

Opinion columns by Washington County Schools Superintendent David White and Carolina Journal's Craig Reynolds.

04/09/2026

Thank you to all of our readers for helping us reach this milestone -- over 500,000 all-time views.

04/08/2026

Rachel Brown is the new librarian at Tyrrell County's Columbia Branch Library, officially starting on April 1. With over ten years of experience, she aims to engage the community and promote equal library access. Her first initiative is a Summer Reading Program launching June 9, featuring events for...