Community Briefing | April 2, 2025

Buncombe County Community Briefing Recap: April 2, 2025 – Wildfire Recovery, Hurricane Helene Assistance & More

On April 2nd, 2025, the Buncombe County Community Briefing provided residents with a detailed update on several critical issues impacting our community, including wildfire recovery, ongoing Hurricane Helene relief efforts, and important safety information. The meeting featured presentations from various county departments and partner organizations, offering a comprehensive overview of current challenges and available resources.

A significant portion of the briefing centered on recovery from Hurricane Helene. Residents still impacted by the storm were strongly encouraged to take advantage of several key programs before approaching deadlines. The most notable development is the opening of a new one-stop Helene Recovery Center on April 14th at 94 Cox Avenue in Asheville. This center will consolidate assistance from FEMA, disaster case management services, and hazard mitigation grant programs – a valuable resource for navigating the recovery process. Residents should also remember to apply for free private property debris removal by April 15th (bunkumready.org or 828-250-6100) and explore potential eligibility for the Agricultural Crop Loss Program by May 2nd (828-255-5522). FEMA disaster assistance applications are due by April 7th (disasterassistance.gov or 800-621-3362).

Beyond hurricane recovery, the briefing addressed recent wildfire activity. While crews successfully contained both the Freedom Farm (130 acres) and Old Fort Road fires, neighboring counties continue to face challenges. The statewide burn ban was lifted, and subsequently, the local open burning ban also ended (effective 10 a.m.). Residents are reminded to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines when burning natural vegetation on their property, but note that burning is prohibited within municipal boundaries. Ashley Featherstone from the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency emphasized staying informed about air quality conditions, encouraging residents to check the EPA AirNow Fire and Smoke Map (available on abairquality.org) for current information.

The Board of Commissioners took a crucial step in supporting long-term resilience by approving resolutions authorizing interlocal agreements with several municipalities (Asheville, Tongue of Black Mountain, and Tongue of Weaverville) to participate in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. This program will provide funding for projects like property acquisition, elevation, and reconstruction to reduce flood risks – a proactive measure to safeguard our community against future disasters. The planned door-to-door public health survey was unfortunately canceled due to federal funding cuts, highlighting the ongoing challenges in securing resources for vital public health initiatives.

While there were no direct public comments during the meeting, residents are encouraged to share feedback and suggest topics for future briefings by emailing [email protected]. For those needing access to essential services, the Community Care Station at Owen Poole remains open.

What's Next?

• Hurricane Helene Impacted Residents: Prioritize applications for debris removal, FEMA assistance, and the Agricultural Crop Loss Program before their respective deadlines.
• Air Quality Concerns: Stay informed about conditions and burn regulations through the EPA AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.
• Community Event: Join the Helene Recovery event on April 10th at the Garen Creek Fire Department.
• Stay Connected: Bookmark engage.bunkhamcounty.org/buncombrecovers for ongoing updates and subscribe to text alerts (text BCALERT to 99411).

This briefing underscored the County’s commitment to supporting residents through challenging times and proactively addressing potential hazards. By understanding these updates and taking advantage of available resources, we can collectively build a more resilient Buncombe County.