Buncombe County officials are urging residents to adhere to the statewide burn ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service. This ban, which includes Buncombe County’s existing burn restrictions, prohibits all open burning of yard waste, debris, and land-clearing burns across all 100 counties, regardless of prior permits. The burn ban is active until further notice.
Buncombe County Fire Marshal Kevin Tipton said during today’s briefing that we are in an extreme dangerous situation.
“Six months ago today, members of the County staff and emergency services stood before you and tried to predict what was coming from Helene,” Tipton said. “I come to you today and ask you to take this message just as serious.”
Farmland burning is not allowed during this ban as it is covered under the state ban. One exception to the burn ban are small cooking and warming fires less than 3 feet in diameter, less than 2 feet in flame height, and 15 feet from a structure and wood line.
Prepare your home if you live near the wood line or in an urban interface:
- Clean all combustibles from areas 25-50 feet away from your home.
- Don’t store combustibles (firewood, gas, kerosine, oil) against your home or under decks.
- If you have a heating source outside such as an oil or propane tank, clear anything that will burn away from that tank.
- Clean leaves, limbs, and other dead vegetation from your home including gutters.
Due to the critical nature of the wildfires, anyone who violates the burn ban will face monetary fines, criminal charges, and will be prosecuted.
Sign up for alerts about this and other important updates by texting “BCAlert” to 99411. See the latest fire updates here.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Transition
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Western North Carolina will transition to locally operated Resource Centers starting on March 31 and will cease operation as FEMA centers at 2 p.m. on March 29. This includes the Buncombe County centers at Fairview Library and Weaverville Town Hall.
The new Resource Centers will operate Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will have specialists to help people apply for assistance and update application status. The centers will be locally operated, state and federally supported.
Buncombe County will share more information on the new Resource Center soon.
It is not necessary to visit a center to apply for FEMA assistance: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362. Deadline for FEMA applications is April 7.
Rabies Vaccination Project Starting Soon
Beginning in April, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services and the North Carolina Department of Health will distribute thousands of oral rabies vaccine baits via planes, helicopters, and ground vehicles throughout western North Carolina, including Buncombe County and Asheville.
This program, active since 2005, is a proven method to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies among wildlife, pets, and humans. The vaccine baits contain a plastic packet coated in fishmeal or encased in a fishmeal-polymer block to attract animals.
Click here for more information and frequently asked questions.
Post-Helene Public Health Survey
Buncombe County Public Health is conducting a door-to-door survey about specific public health needs or trends in Buncombe County in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
The survey is designed to better understand community needs, identify public health issues, and inform recovery and preparedness efforts.
Trained Public Health teams will visit randomly selected households throughout Buncombe County on April 2 and April 3, 2025, during the afternoon and early evening.
Click here for more information.
New Community Engagement Market
A new Buncombe County Community Engagement Market is launching in Swannanoa to address food insecurity following Hurricane Helene and the loss of the local grocery store. In partnership with Asheville Christian Academy, MANNA FoodBank, and ABIPA, the market will provide free food and resources on the first Monday of every month at 4:30 p.m., starting April 7 at Asheville Christian Academy (74 Riverwood Road).
No ID or income verification is required to benefit from this market and those interested in volunteering can contact Leonard Jones at leonard.jones@buncombenc.gov.
More info and updates: buncombecounty.org/communityengagement.
Since Helene, MANNA and its network of 220-plus food pantry partners have distributed over 8.5 million meals and 10.2 million pounds of food, ensuring that neighbors across our region have access to nourishing foods. The MANNA Packs program has provided 45,000 weekend meal packs for students.
Mental Health Months After the Storm
All Souls Counseling, which has been deploying therapists throughout the community since the storm, highlights the importance of mental health support and taking care of yourself. Even through distress after a natural disaster is normal, it is important to recognize that these feelings can transition into something more serious.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety may arise, including persistent flashbacks or intrusive memories, severe mood swings, changes in sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating or withdrawal from social interactions. It is normal to experience hypervigilance following a natural disaster, and it can be a sign of anxiety and can be worse with severe weather. If you are feeling any of these symptoms, reach out to trained specialists, build a support network, and practice selfcare. Resources include:
- All Souls Counseling Center: 828-259-3369
- Mobile Crisis: 888-573-1006
- Comprehensive Care Center: 828-254-2700, rhahealthservices.org
- MAHEC: 828-398-3601, mahec.net
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
- NC Peer Warmline: 1-855-733-7762
- VAYA Health Behavioral Health Crisis Line 1-800-849-6127 | vayahealth.com
- 988: Call, text or chat 24/7
Helene Resources
Residents impacted by Helene who are in need of resources to recovery are encouraged to learn more or apply for the following programs:
North Carolina Disaster Case Management (DCM) Program: Residents can get connected to recovery resources through the help of a dedicated case manager. Assistance can include resources for food, housing, mental health, employment assistance, and more. Apply at www.ncdps.gov/helene/dcm or call 844-746-2326.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP): Properties damaged by Helene floodwaters may be eligible for free mitigation projects that can make the property more resilient, such as home elevation, home rebuild, or acquisition at pre-storm value. Apply at www.ncdps.gov/hazard-mitigation. Property owners with landslides that threaten roads, bridges or structures may also apply to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for assistance with slope stabilization.
Private Roads and Bridges Program: If a private road, bridge, culbert, or pipe was damaged by Helene and residents need help repairing it, they can fill out the state’s interest form. You can apply even if you applied for FEMA.
Disaster Assistance Deadlines: Residents impacted by Hurricane Helene should note upcoming application deadlines, including FEMA Individual Assistance (April 7) and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (April 7).
Disaster Energy Assistance Program: Applications remain open for those needing help with heating costs including repairs and utility bills. Apply in person at 40 Coxe Avenue or by phone at 828-250-5500, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Community Care Station at Owen Pool is open with showers, laundry service, water, and bathrooms from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends.
The next community briefing is on Wednesday, April 2 at 11 a.m. on the Buncombe County Facebook page. For more information, visit buncombeready.org or call the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100.