Governor Josh Stein joined the North Carolina Forest Service in Buncombe County on May 13 to thank staff for their work during wildfire season and to discuss ongoing efforts to reduce fire risk.
The announcement comes as western North Carolina faces heightened wildfire danger due to debris left by Hurricane Helene. The region has already experienced more than 4,300 wildfires this year, with most caused by human activity. State officials say removing hazardous debris remains a priority, despite previous cleanup collaborations that cleared over 16 million cubic yards from roads, waterways, and private property.
“A year and a half after Hurricane Helene, despite great collaboration to remove 16 million cubic yards of debris, the remaining debris is fueling wildfire danger across western North Carolina,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Folks in western North Carolina know all too well how Mother Nature can wreak havoc, and they can protect themselves by staying vigilant and following burn restrictions. I am continuing to push for the resources needed to reduce these risks and keep people safe.”
Stein previewed the NC Forest Service’s upcoming Disaster Mitigation Program (DMP), which will allow property owners to request free removal of hazardous debris. The program will also improve fire breaks and encourage prescribed burning. Residents are encouraged to learn more about this initiative at ncforestservice.gov.
Matt Calabria, Director of GROW NC, said: “For western North Carolina families and communities, recovery is still ongoing, and wildfire risk is another real concern they are having to navigate at the same time. I encourage western North Carolinians to take advantage of trusted information, practical tools, and state resources that can help them prepare.”
Residents are urged by state officials to prevent human-caused wildfires through safe practices; follow burn restrictions; strengthen home readiness; review evacuation plans; and share preparedness information locally. ReadyNC.gov provides guidance on preparedness measures for those threatened by wildfires or other disasters.
In March, Governor Stein proposed his third Helene recovery budget for western North Carolina with a call for $792 million in funding—including $17 million specifically earmarked for wildfire mitigation efforts such as reducing risk factors in state parks and rebuilding forestry facilities.
The Office of the Governor of North Carolina serves as chief executive for the entire state—executing laws, directing budgets including disaster relief proposals like this one—and leads both policy direction through appointments as well as serving as commander in chief of the National Guard according to the official website.
