NC Forest Service launches wildfire mitigation program for Helene counties

RALEIGH — The N.C. Forest Service has launched a new Disaster Mitigation Program aimed at reducing wildfire risk in communities affected by Hurricane Helene.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced the program Wednesday, June 3. According to the agency, the program will provide wildfire risk reduction treatments at no cost to eligible private and public landowners in 39 federally declared disaster counties.

The Forest Service said the program is designed to address hazardous fuel buildup, fallen timber and reduced access in areas affected by the storm. The goal is to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire damage to homes, infrastructure and natural resources.

Available services include prescribed burning to reduce dangerous fuel loading, home ignition zone treatments to create defensible space around homes, and restoration of fuel breaks and roads to improve wildfire response access.

Projects will be prioritized based on several factors, including proximity to homes and infrastructure, severity of storm damage, wildfire risk and access limitations for emergency responders.

The Forest Service said there is no cost to landowners for approved risk reduction measures. However, prospective projects require a site visit and assessment by Forest Service personnel, followed by review and approval before work begins.

The program has $5.15 million in funding through a grant from the USDA Forest Service. Risk reduction projects will continue until the funding is exhausted.

Interested landowners are asked to review the Disaster Mitigation Program webpage and then contact their local N.C. Forest Service county ranger’s office. If county office staff are unavailable, landowners may contact the district office overseeing their county.

The program follows Helene’s widespread damage in western North Carolina, where downed trees, damaged access routes and storm debris have created additional wildfire concerns. State officials said the mitigation work is intended to lower risk before future fire conditions threaten affected communities.

Editor’s note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.