Riceville Volunteer Fire Department

State and Local Open Burn Ban in Effect

Effective Saturday, March 28, 2026, the North Carolina Forest Service has issued a statewide open burning ban due to adverse atmospheric conditions, including extreme fire danger conditions that are forecasted, including low humidity, gusty winds, and dry fuels.
The state ban applies to all open burning, including camp fires, fires in pits, yard waste, debris, and land-clearing burns at 100 feet or more away from a structure.

The local burn ban, issued by the Buncombe County Fire Marshal, applies to all open burning within 100 feet of a structure.

The only exceptions are for barbecue grills and outdoor food preparation in an approved device.

This ban will remain in effect until atmospheric conditions have improved. It is never legal to burn anything other than naturally occurring vegetation.

For validation of permits and complaints on open burning 100 feet or more from structures, please contact the N.C. Forest Service at 828-667-5211 or 919-857-4801.

To receive alerts on burn bans, sign up for BC Alerts by texting "BCReady" to 67283.

A Reminder: Open burning is never permitted within municipal limits.

Riceville VFD injury prevention Awareness

Fire Season Prevention Tips

Fire Safety and Injury Reduction

Fire Season Prevention Tips

These fires may seem insignificant at first but injuries can happen to our Firefighters so quickly as they protect your property. Look around dailey as to what you have on the ground. Then look up for trees that are haning over your home.

https://www.ncforestservice.gov/fire_control/fc_firesafetyoutdoors.htm

Changing your habits

Fire Safety and Injury Reduction

Fire Season Prevention Tips

Closing one door may prevent the fire from spreading to other rooms. Most importantly closing the door may not save your house but it could save your life!

Fire Safety and Injury Reduction

Saving Lives with a Beep

Fire Safety and Injury Reduction

Our department has a team of trained Fire Life Safety Educators who can come check your smoke detector. If yours is older than 10 years replace ASAP. Contact chief@ricevillefire.org to request assistance with your smoke detectors.

Protect your Family and Home

Sprinklers help keep small fires small. Visit the Home Sprinkler Coalition for more infofrmation

https://homefiresprinkler.org/

Display their FAQs

Always take a look and most importantly take the child with you because seconds count.

What does a Firefighter look like when they fight fire?

Share with the kids, make an appointment to visit your local Fire House so they kids know who we are in our work clothes.

Call to Service with the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department

Riceville Volunteer Fire Department has openings for Volunteer Members to serve either as Operations or Auxillary Support. Riceville VFD is very fortunate to have a Chaplain who is willing to not only serve as a Pastor with one of our founding churches, but also provide comfort during the most challenging situations we face. This service is for all who serve and live in the Riceville Community.

Staffing positions for Certified Firefighters and EMS personnel for a 911 response ALS ambulance as well. Let us help you reach your goals. If you don't have the training and/or certification we can help! Stop by during regular business hours. Applications are available either by stopping by the station 2251 Riceville Rd Asheville NC 28805 or by emailing chief@ricevillefire.org

Service for others is the greatest achievement!

the Board of Directors

From the Chairman of the Board of Directors

Chair- Dan Little, Vice Chair - Kent Creasman, Treasurer - Lisa McCallister, Secretary Carla McLendon. Directors - Lee Barrett, Butch Laughter, Steve Wickham, Merel Johnson, Mark Siler

Administrative Assistant- Katie Payne

Message from the Board of Directors

The next Meeting of the Board of Directors will Monday April 20, 2026 beginning at 6:30pm

News

The Riceville VFD has received a $100,000 from the NC Office of the State Fire Marshal for Wildland Urban Interface protection. This grant will provide for new and updated equipment as we prepare for the damage caused by Hurricane Helene September 2024. We wish to thank everyone who provided support for this grant.

The Riceville VFD Chief Officers & Operations Shift Officers

Chief Tom Kelly

Division Chief Jason McEntire Training Officer & Acting A Shift Supervisor

Chief Kelly has been with Riceville Volunteer Fire Department since 2020 working on both the ambulance and fire crews during the height of Covid-19. Chief Kelly began his service in 1988 as a volunteer till 1995. In 1995 he began working fulltime in Buncombe County as a FF/EMT and through the ranks to Assistant Chief/Training Officer. Now is the time to get ready for the FUTURE!

Division Chief Jason McEntire Training Officer & Acting A Shift Supervisor

Chief McEntire supports the Mission of the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department as the Training Officer. Todays Training Officer has to bring lesson learned from the past and integrate them with today's fire service culture. Many things today are technology based creating challenges for any program. With his networking, Chief McEntire has been able to keep RVFD service ready for the future.

Captain Chris Redden B Shift Supervisor & FLSE Coordinator

Captain Allen Blount C Shift Supervisor & Maintenance Officer controling apparatus & small equipment

The Captains are an important key to the daily Operations as Shift and Crew Supervisors ensuring preparedness comes first. Their training prepares coordinated fire/rescue/EMS efficiency. As middle management, they are given budget responsibilities, represent the RVFD standards of excellence, and support the Vision for the future of RVFD.