Buncombe County Updates on Community Care Stations, Recovery Events, & Debris Removal Deadlines

Due to high fire danger conditions in the area through Thursday, February 27, the Buncombe County Fire Marshall strongly urges caution and postponing any burning if possible until conditions improve. 

While there is no burn ban at this time due to humidity levels forecasted to remain in the 30% range with winds light and variable, this may change with fire activity or change in the forecast. 

If residents must burn, they should follow these guidelines: 

• Keep all debris in small and manageable piles - less than 3 feet in diameter 
• Have a way of immediately reporting out of control fires 
• Report out of control fires to 911 
• Under county ordinance, you must have a means of extinguishment available including tools for moving dirt, a water hose, or a portable fire extinguisher 
• All fires must be constantly attended until completely extinguished  
• You are only allowed to burn naturally occurring vegetation that grows on your property 

Burning is never allowed in municipal limits.  

Community Care Stations Service Changes 
Since October, Buncombe County’s Community Care Stations have provided vital services to Hurricane Helene survivors, including drinking water, hot meals, Wi-Fi and cell service, showers, laundry, mental health support, and more. As community needs evolve, some service adjustments will take place: 

• Self-Service Laundry: Beginning Friday, Feb. 28, all Community Care Stations will transition to self-service laundry. 
• Bethel United Methodist Closure: The station at Bethel United Methodist in Riceville will close on Wednesday, March 5, due to low community use. Residents are encouraged to visit the Owen Pool station, about a 15-minute drive away. 
• Shower Service Adjustments: Due to low community use, showers at Reynolds Community Care Station and Morgan Hill Baptist Church will close at the end of the day on March 5. Laundry facilities will remain available at these locations. 
• Owen Pool Station: No operational changes; remains open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends. When temperatures drop below freezing, it will remain open overnight for warming. 

Upcoming Recovery Events 
Recovery resource fairs are happening in some of the most impacted areas of our community. The recent event at Reynolds High School served 150 survivors with FEMA application support, mental health assistance, legal aid, meals from Food Connections, and more. Other events include: 

• Leicester Community Center: Thursday, Feb. 27, 5–7 p.m. (Food Connection will be 350 yards away at Bell United Methodist Church, 17 Mayrand Rd, Leicester from 5-6 p.m. serving free meals)  
• Owen High School: Monday, March 3, 5–7 p.m.  

Important Deadlines  

• Saturday, March 1 – Last day for residents to place storm debris on the public right-of-way. Final collection passes will occur throughout March. 
• Saturday, March 8 – Last day to apply for FEMA assistance 
• Saturday, March 8 – Small Business Administration deadline for physical damage – both home loans and business loans  
• Monday, March 10 – Last day to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance  
• Tuesday, April 15 – Last day to apply for Private Property Debris Removal  
• Monday, June 30 – Small Business Administration deadline for a business economic injury loan 

Private Property Debris Removal 
Residents who are not able to move debris to the public right-of-way ahead of the March 1 deadline for public right-of-way debris removal can apply for the Private Property Debris Removal Program online at buncombeready.org, by calling 828-250-6100, or by visiting an intake center.  

Due to low visit numbers, the Private Property Debris Removal Intake centers at Barnardsville Fire Dept., Swannanoa Fire Rescue, and Black Mountain Library will close at the end of the day this Friday. The Fairview Library intake center, co-located with the Disaster Recovery Center, will remain open. Staff at the closed intake centers will switch to mobile units, traveling in the community to sign people up in some of our most impacted areas.   

Property Damage Reporting 
Buncombe County received more than 1,400 damage reports through the Damage Reporting form, and it has been instrumental in helping staff secure additional funding and resources from state and federal partners and conduct damage inspections for safety and access.   

These efforts have led to the state committing to launch a program to help repair private bridges and roads. Staff have submitted all inspected structures to the state and are awaiting their next steps. Through this form, staff will also evaluate if resident are eligible for the emergency watershed protection program through the USDA. It assists with debris-clogged waterways, floodplains, and unstable streambanks. Go to buncombeready.org to fill out the Buncombe County Property Damage form or call our call center at 828-250-6100. Please note that submitting a damage form is not the same as applying for assistance, which must be done through FEMA by March 8. 

Community Input on Housing and Recovery Action Plan 
Residents can help shape North Carolina’s Housing and Urban Development Action Plan by sharing input by March 20: 

• Online at commerce.nc.gov/grants-incentives/disaster-recovery 
• Email: helene.recovery@commerce.nc.gov 
• Fax: (919) 715-0096 

Asheville Habitat for Humanity Updates 
The Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and partners have been working to provide critical home repairs for low-income homeowners in Buncombe and Madison Counties. Residents of these counties with storm-related damage can apply for assistance at ashevillehabitat.org. In addition to repairs, residents are also eligible for a new home through the nonprofit’s homeownership program, which has waived first-time homeowner requirements for storm survivors. There will be an in-person information session on Saturday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to noon at the downtown YMCA at 30 Woodfin St. 

For more information, visit buncombeready.org. The next community briefing will be held on Wednesday, March 5 at 11 a.m. and can be viewed at facebook.com/buncombegov.