The North Carolina Forest Service has lifted a statewide ban on open burning for 81 counties, effective 8 a.m. Sunday, following recent rainfall that helped ease wildfire conditions. However, it remains in effect for 19 counties, including Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg, and Stokes and Union counties. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler warned that while rain has brought some improvement, the wildfire season is still ongoing. The ban does not apply to fires within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling.