As the aftermath of Hurricane Helene continues to unfold, efforts are being made to address the significant damage inflicted on the national forests of Western North Carolina. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently visited the area, highlighting the potential for the re-employment of local Forest Service employees who were impacted by previous workforce reductions.
During her visit, Rollins emphasized the growing threat of wildfires exacerbated by the hurricane’s destruction. “We’re moving into wildfire season, certainly here in North Carolina with all the devastation under Hurricane Helene,” she noted while speaking at the Forest Supervisor’s Office in Asheville. Her statements underscored the urgency of addressing the damage as wildfire risks escalate.
Rollins, who assumed her role on Feb. 13, met with North Carolina Governor Josh Stein as part of her visit. She highlighted the nonpartisan nature of disaster response, stating, “The most important thing is that wildfires and hurricanes know no political party. There is no Republican or Democrat as part of that.”
The hurricane left a substantial mark on the region, with the Forest Service reporting damage to approximately 20% of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, impacting over 187,000 acres. Yancey, Mitchell, McDowell, and Avery counties bore the brunt of the storm’s impact. Additionally, nearly 900 miles of roads and 800 miles of trails under Forest Service management suffered damage.
In light of the recent federal workforce reductions, Rollins acknowledged that mistakes had been made and emphasized the administration’s intent to correct them by re-employing crucial staff. “We feel good about those decisions, having said that, we have made mistakes,” she admitted, noting that workers involved in avian flu research and other critical areas may be reinstated.
The Trump administration maintained that no frontline firefighters were terminated. However, reports have surfaced about skilled workers losing their jobs despite their roles in firefighting logistics. Addressing this, Rollins reiterated the importance of government roles in ensuring public safety, whether through border security or wildfire containment.
Jenifer Bunty, a former Western North Carolina Forest Ranger, shared her experience of being laid off despite her firefighting credentials. “Almost everyone on our forest, the vast majority of our employees, hold fire qualifications,” Bunty explained, emphasizing the collective effort required during emergencies.
With the hurricane leaving significant debris, the risk of wildfires in the region is heightened. James Melonas, Forest Supervisor for the National Forests in North Carolina, stressed the importance of prompt action to mitigate these risks.
In an email, U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Alan Abernathy described the recovery as an “all-hands-on-deck situation,” highlighting initiatives focused on timber salvage, wildfire risk reduction, and habitat restoration.
Rollins also met with local officials and representatives from various organizations to discuss ongoing and future recovery efforts. She noted that her team is working to restructure the Forest Service to align resources more effectively with its mission.
