Helene debris could intensify wildfire risk for 10+ years, forest officials say

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — As fire conditions continue, a statewide burn ban remains in effect in North Carolina.

According to the North Carolina Forest Service, debris from Helene could impact fire risk for the next 10 to 20 years.

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“The wildfire that burned in Wilkes County, Cane Creek fire, that one was a 574-acre fire. The Jumping Branch, of course, went 400 plus,” said Philip Jackson, the public information officer with the North Carolina Forest Service.

Jackson says that several of the fires over the last couple of weeks have burned in areas with substantial Helene damage.

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“Fires that might only go 10 or 20 acres in a typical year might go 50 or 100 acres just because of the significant fuel source that they’re going to be able to burn off of in the form of Hurricane Helene-downed timber,” said Jackson.

He said the debris also slows response times.

“That same exact storm debris, first responders, forest service, hand crews, are going to have to navigate that fuel, navigate that debris in order to reach the fire area,” said Jackson.

We talked to some local residents who share the same concerns.

“We’re still rebuilding from Helene, so anything that gets burned down is just another step backwards,” said Lucas Nance, an Asheville resident.

“We all have to do our part to be safe. I wish people would take it more seriously,” said Hays Berry, another resident.

The current burn ban has been in effect since March 28. Jackson said there’s no telling how long this current burn ban will last.

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“Just a combination of those dry conditions is why we have the burn ban. And we’re looking for a combination of wetter conditions and improvement before we would lift the burn ban. And so if you look at the forecast, not a whole lot of relief in sight,” said Jackson.

Nicole DelCogliano, a farmer in Burnsville, said the burn ban doesn’t affect their work too much and that it’s temporary.

She says she’s more concerned about the dry conditions and the threat of wildfire.

“Wildfire risk, that’s just increased with post-Helene landscape, the massive devastation in our forests and also the dry conditions. It’s just a recipe for disaster,” said DelCogliano.