ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The National Park Service plans to remove storm debris across nearly 3,000 acres along the Blue Ridge Parkway to reduce wildfire risk following damage from Tropical Storm Helene, officials announced Tuesday.
The project, scheduled to begin in late summer, will focus on six areas in North Carolina and Virginia identified as having elevated wildfire risk because of large amounts of downed trees and vegetation. Officials said the buildup of debris poses a threat to nearby communities, homes, park visitors and emergency responders.
Crews will remove burnable organic material, often called “fuels,” while working to preserve the parkway’s scenic and historic character. The effort is part of broader federal recovery work following the storm.
The targeted areas include about 292 acres near Galax and Hillsville between mileposts 205 and 215; 129 acres near Laurel Springs between mileposts 249 and 267; 769 acres near Boone between mileposts 280 and 300; 527 acres near Linville Falls between mileposts 310 and 319; 325 acres near Little Switzerland between mileposts 324 and 341; and 829 acres near Asheville between mileposts 374 and 396.
Visitors and nearby residents can expect intermittent traffic delays and one-lane closures during the work. Officials aim to complete the initial debris removal by spring 2027.
After clearing operations, the park will begin revegetation efforts in selected areas to support forest restoration and ecosystem recovery.
The project was developed in coordination with multiple agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, following fire risk modeling and field assessments.
The National Park Service will host three open-house meetings for residents and stakeholders to learn more about the project: 5-7 p.m. May 5 in Galax, Virginia; 5-7 p.m. May 6 at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville; and 5-7 p.m. May 7 at Caldwell Community College’s Watauga Campus in Boone.generations. Learn more at nps.gov.