Open Burning Ban Issued, FCC Bin Transition and Opening of the Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant

Burn Ban in Effect

Effective today, Wednesday, Dec. 4 at noon, the Buncombe County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued an open burning ban due to adverse atmospheric conditions including high fire danger, low humidity, and strong gusty winds. 

The ban applies to all open burning, including yard waste, debris, and land-clearing burns. Fires in pits, barbecue grills, cooking fires, warming fires, or chimneas smaller than three feet in diameter are exempt. This ban will remain in effect until Saturday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m., with the possibility of extension based on conditions. It is never legal to burn anything other than naturally occurring vegetation.   

A reminder: open burning is never permitted within Asheville city limits. 

Trash and Recycling Pick Up Provider Transition Update 
Buncombe County continues its transition to FCC Environmental as the new trash and recycling service provider for unincorporated areas. Waste Pro is actively collecting its bins following scheduled pickups, with FCC delivering new bins 24-48 hours later. 

Waste Pro Bear carts remain with households; FCC will rebrand these with stickers. 
Trash collection by Waste Pro will continue in December, the new FCC bins will be serviced. 
Starting in January, residents must be subscribed with FCC to receive service. To sign up, visit fccenvironmental.com/buncombe. 

Please note this does not apply to City of Asheville trash/recyling service. 

Property Tax Reminder 
Buncombe County property taxes are due by January 6, 2025. North Carolina law does not allow tax waivers due to natural disasters like Hurricane Helene. The Tax Department is available to assist with payment plans and alternatives. 

Visit 94 Coxe Ave for in-person payments or call 828-250-4910 for assistance. 
Learn more at buncombecounty.org/tax. 

Community Care Stations and Water Distribution Updates 
Due to reduced demand, all water distribution sites, and some Community Care Stations have closed except for four locations in the most impacted areas, open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.: 

Morgan Hill Baptist Church (594 Barnardsville Highway) 
Bethel United Methodist Church (1056 Riceville Road) 
Owen Pool (117 Stone Drive, Swannanoa) 
Fairview Ingles (225 Charlotte Highway) 

Code Purple Shelter Days 
Emergency shelters are open for individuals experiencing homelessness during cold weather. Code Purple is currently active for today, Wednesday, Dec. 4 and Thursday, Dec. 5. Shelters include: 

ABCCM – 20 20th Street – open for single men - Intake starts at 4 p.m. - Accessible via transit route WE2 at Bear Creek Road.  
ABCCM Transformation Village - 30 Olin Haven Way – Single women and children – intake starts at 4 p.m. - Accessible via transit route W2. 

FEMA   
The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Asheville Mall is a one-stop shop where survivors can meet face-to-face with FEMA representatives, apply for federal assistance, receive referrals to local assistance in their area, apply with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans and more.  

FEMA financial assistance may include money for basic home repairs, personal property losses or other uninsured, disaster-related needs, such as childcare, transportation, medical needs, funeral or dental expenses. The deadline for households to apply for FEMA assistance is Jan. 7, 2025.  

It is not necessary to go to a center to apply for FEMA assistance. The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You may also call 800-621-3362.   

Residents who are staying in Transitional Sheltering Assistance hotels should stay in contact with FEMA to ensure they can be assisted with next steps for recovery. 

American Red Cross 
The American Red Cross Financial Assistance Program provides assistance to those whose homes endured major damage or were completely destroyed from Hurricane Helene. Residents with this damage have received direct text messages from the American Red Cross. To receive aid, please call 1-800-REDCROSS and a case worker with walk through questions for financial assistance. Please do this before December 20. 

American Red Cross staff are also visiting communities and distributing flyers about this financial assistance at homes. 

Debris Removal Progress 
As of Dec. 4, crews have collected 396,180 cubic yards of debris across Buncombe County including Black Mountain and the City of Asheville. Residents are encouraged to move storm debris to public rights-of-way, and separate it by vegetative, large appliances, hazardous waste, electronics, and construction materials. 

Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant 
Applications for the Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant open Dec. 5 at 8 a.m. for Buncombe County residents. This program provides up to three months of rent, mortgage, or utility payment assistance. 

Eligibility includes financial impact from Hurricane Helene and income within 80% of Area Median Income. 
Applications close Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. Apply at buncombecounty.org. 

City of Asheville Rental Assistance Program 
Applications for rental assistance for individuals and families who need help paying for rent in the City of Asheville are available through: 

• Eblen Charities: applications can be submitted over the phone by calling 828-255-3066 or visiting eblencharities.org/programs. 
• Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church: to apply, visit 789 Merrimon Avenue from noon to 4 p.m. every day or by calling 828-254-3274. 

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) 
LIEAP is now accepting applications for heating bill assistance: 

• Priority period: Households with seniors or disabled persons can apply until Dec. 31. 
• All other households may apply starting Jan. 1. 
• Apply online at epass.nc.gov, by phone at 828-250-5500, or in person at 40 Coxe Ave from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) 
Almost 1,000 Buncombe County property owners have applied to have qualified disaster debris removed from their property at no cost through the Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program. The program also covers the demolition of eligible unsafe structures.    

Here are some important things you need to know about private property debris removal:    

• Private property debris removal is different than debris collection on public right of ways. Private property debris removal is where crews have to enter a property to assess and collect debris.   
• We have been and will continue to collect debris at public right of ways. If you are able to bring your debris to public right of ways, you do not have to apply for Private Property Debris Removal.  
• To apply for Private Property Debris Removal, residents can visit one of our private property debris removal application centers located at the Asheville Mall, Barnardsville Fire Department, Swannanoa Fire on Bee Tree Road, and Fairview Library.   

Applications can also be submitted online at buncombeready.org. For questions, call the One Buncombe hotline at 828-250-6100 (select option 2). 

USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program 
Residents impacted by Hurricane Helene may qualify for assistance with debris-clogged waterways, unstable streambanks, and more. Submit applications via the County’s Property Damage Form or call 828-250-4785.