As of 8 a.m. on April 2, the statewide burn ban has been lifted, and the Buncombe County local open burning ban has been lifted effective 10 a.m. Residents are reminded to adhere to all local fire safety regulations and to never leave a fire unattended.
Burning remains prohibited in municipalities and unincorporated areas of Buncombe County; only naturally occurring vegetation may be burned.
With spring being wildfire season in Western North Carolina and the presence of storm debris increasing fire risk, residents are encouraged to take proactive steps to safeguard their properties. This includes:
- Clearing combustibles such as firewood, gas, and kerosene at least 25-50 feet away from homes.
- Removing leaves, limbs, and dead vegetation from gutters and yards.
- Visiting www.buncombeready.org for resources on fire prevention and mitigation.
Helene Recovery Efforts: New Resource Center Opening
Buncombe County is committed to supporting residents affected by Hurricane Helene. A new Helene Resource Center will open Monday, April 14, at 94 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, assisting with FEMA applications, Disaster Case Management, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, private roads and bridges support, and more. The center will operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free parking is available across the street. This new center will serve as a one-stop shop as FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers begin to transition out of the community.
Currently, FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are still available for assistance:
- Weaverville Town Hall – Open through Friday, April 4.
- Fairview Library – Open through Thursday, April 11.
FEMA assistance may provide aid for temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property loss, and other disaster-related needs. The deadline to apply is April 7. Visit disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 to apply.
Helene Recovery Resource event in Garren Creek
A Helene Recovery Resource Event at Garren Creek Fire Department will be hosted on Thursday, April 10, at 10 Flat Creek Road from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Representatives from Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Private Property Debris Removal, FEMA Individual Assistance, and N.C. Disaster Case Management will be on-site to answer questions about available support and application updates.
Landslides in Western North Carolina
Dr. David Korte, Landslide Hazard Mapping Team Program Manager with the North Carolina Geological Survey, joined the Community Briefing to provide important information regarding cleaning up after a landslide. General guidelines for cleaning after a landslide say it's okay to clean landslide material to provide access in and out of a property. But residents should not remove any additional material until they can consult with an expert. This is to ensure that if materials are removed from the bottom, items at the top don’t come down.
Another important consideration is debris flow, which is where floodwaters came down mountain channels. Residents should consult before rebuilding on this channel, as it is recommended to move a house off the channel if they are able to do so. For more information, visit landslidesncgs.org.
Property owners with landslides that threaten roads, bridges, or structures may be eligible for assistance with slope stabilization through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Fill out the 5-minute grant information request at buncombeready.org or call 828-250-6100.
Air Quality Updates After Helene and Wildfires
Ashley Featherstone, Director of Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency, shared an update on air quality and open burning.
The agency monitors ground-level ozone and fine particles as part of the national air quality network. The data informs the Air Quality Index (AQI), which indicates pollution levels.
Hurricane Helene Response: The agency partnered with NCDAQ and EPA to install additional air quality sensors to track impacts from storm debris burning. This data is available on the EPA’s AirNow Fire & Smoke Map at fire.airnow.gov.
Wildfire Smoke & AQI: Due to wildfires last week, the County experienced Air Quality Action Days, which outline healthy and unhealthy air quality and what members of the community are recommended they do based on their sensitivities.
General Open Burning Rules
- Not allowed on air quality action days. Burning leaves, brush, and yard trimmings is allowed 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on burn days.
- Prohibited anytime: Household trash, building materials, processed wood, and plastics.
- No burning ever in municipalities, including Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville, or Woodfin.
- For storm debris that is being gathered with the intention of conducting open burning, including the use of air curtain burners or open burning of storm debris by a business or other commercial or government entity, permission is required from the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency in Buncombe County and there are certain requirements that must be met. Please contact the Agency at 828-250-6777 or at airquality@buncombecounty.org.
- Safer Alternatives to Burning: Private Property Debris Removal Program, chipping/grinding over burning, and donating usable hardwood for firewood.
Agricultural Assistance
Farmers who lost crops due to Helene or any other natural disaster in 2024 can apply for the Agriculture Crop Loss Program through May 2. Contact Buncombe County Cooperative Extension at 828-255-5522 to apply or visit www.buncombe.ces.ncsu.edu/ for more information.
Key Recovery Deadlines
- April 7: FEMA Individual Assistance & Disaster Unemployment Assistance deadline.
- April 15: Last day to apply for the Private Property Debris Removal Program.
- April 27: SBA physical damage loan deadline.
- June 30: SBA economic injury application deadline.
Right-of-Way Debris Removal
Right-of-way debris removal has ended, and 1.22 million cubic yards of debris were removed from unincorporated Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, and the Town of Black Mountain. We thank crews who have been working on public right-of-way debris removal since October. Crews are currently working on going back to areas that may have been missed.
If you have debris that was not picked up through the right-of-way operation, please apply for Private Property Debris Removal, a program to have crews remove debris from your property for free by April 15. Apply at www.buncombeready.org, call 828-250-6100, or visit the intake center at Fairview Library through April 11 or the Helene Resource Center after that date.
Community Support and Resources
Community Care Station at Owen Pool – Open for showers, laundry, water, and restrooms. Hours: Weekdays 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Weekends 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
North Carolina Disaster Case Management Program – Whether you need housing, food, heating, clothing, legal, educational, or financial assistance, North Carolina Disaster Case Management is here to lend a hand. The team helps survivors find support from 500+ resources and partners with residents on their Helene recovery journey. Call 844-746-2326 or visit buncombeready.org to apply.
The Disaster Energy Assistance program has funds available to help residents with any projects that can help keep a home warm. 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 next community briefing is on Wednesday, April 9, 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.