Surry County Fire Marshal's Office

05/06/2026

04/27/2026

The statewide burn ban remains in effect until further notice despite weekend rain in some areas. Persistent dry weather and increasing rainfall deficits from the last several months have left most of the state needing 10 inches of rain or more.

“While the rainfall we received over the weekend was a welcome sight, it offered little to no relief from widespread drought conditions while being nowhere near enough to reduce our wildfire risk,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Even the areas that received the heaviest amount of rain will quickly dry out from the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Until we get some additional rain and see more green-up in our forests, holding the burn ban in place statewide is the best option right now.”

While green-up and leaf-out are progressing at normal rate, low soil moisture, dry surface fuels and persistent low humidity are contributing to wildfire activity. For Western North Carolina, excessive forest fuels from Hurricane Helene are more available now than they were in 2025, low water levels in coastal areas have helped produce intense fire behavior where ground fire will likely be a long-term issue, and the Piedmont experienced 87 new wildfire starts over the weekend alone. Extended attack and mop-up efforts will be taxing and long-winded until drought conditions improve.

Read news release: https://bit.ly/497dNht

04/16/2026

📞 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week 📞

Each year during the second week of April, we pause to recognize and honor the telecommunications professionals who serve as the critical link between our community and emergency services.

This week is more than recognition—it is an opportunity to ensure the public fully understands the role these professionals play every single day. Behind every call for help is a trained voice providing direction, gathering critical information, and ensuring the right resources are sent—often before responders ever arrive on scene.

Public safety telecommunicators are not just dispatchers. They are the first point of contact in moments of crisis, the calm in uncertainty, and the connection that keeps our responders and citizens safe. Their work is constant, their responsibility is significant, and their impact is felt across every call for service.

At Surry County Emergency Services, we recognize that their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to service are essential to everything we do. They represent the foundation of our response system and the beginning of every successful outcome.

This week—and every week—we thank our telecommunicators for their service, their sacrifice, and their unwavering presence.

Their voice is the first help you hear. Their work makes the rest of ours possible.

#911

12/17/2025

12/15/2025

APPOINTMENT OF AMBER BROWN ARMBRUSTER TO DEPUTY COUNTY MANAGER POSITION

Surry County is pleased to announce the appointment of Amber Brown Armbruster as Deputy County Manager. Ms. Armbruster will begin in the position on January 1, 2026.
Ms. Armbruster currently serves as Assistant County Manager in Stokes County, a position she has held since 2021. Prior to her service with Stokes County, Ms. Armbruster worked as a Constituent Liaison in the United States House of Representatives for Representative Virginia Foxx.

Ms. Armbruster holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield, a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Appalachian State University, and a Certificate in County Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Ms. Armbruster is a native of Surry County and is a graduate of East Surry High School.
Ms. Armbruster stated, “I am deeply honored to return home to serve the citizens of Surry County as Deputy County Manager. It is a privilege to contribute to the community that has shaped me, and I am eager to collaborate closely with County staff, elected officials, and residents to ensure effective service delivery and support the growth and well-being of our community. Building on the strong foundation already in place, I look forward to helping make Surry County an even better place to live, work, and thrive."

“On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, we are looking forward to Amber joining our leadership team and bringing her talents to our community”, stated Mark Marion, Chairman of the Surry County Board of Commissioners.

Chris Knopf, County Manager, remarked “It will be my pleasure to work with Amber in what will be a year of transition in 2026. Amber served as an intern in my office during her time at Appalachian State so her familiarity with Surry County Government will be beneficial as she begins this new role.”