On Thursday, newly confirmed U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited western North Carolina to assess the damage caused by recent wildfires and Helene. Her visit was moved up by a day from the originally scheduled date announced early last week.
During her trip, Rollins met with North Carolina residents affected by the disasters and reviewed the response efforts. She noted that the U.S. Forest Service had taken proactive measures to assess wildfire risks, strategically positioned resources in advance, and acted swiftly to contain the fires. USDA continues to coordinate with state and local agencies, as well as first responders, to assist impacted communities and restore public lands vital to rural residents.
Rollins toured wildfire damage along the Blue Ridge Parkway, attended a wildfire operations briefing, and joined a U.S. Forest Service roundtable discussion with local leaders and community members in Asheville.
The Hicks Cemetery Fire, burning 198 acres in the Pisgah National Forest within the Appalachian Ranger District of Haywood County, was fully contained on March 9.
In Carteret County, the Ramshorn Fire in the Croatan National Forest burned 110 acres before being contained by March 2.
The Falls Dam Fire, which started the same day in the Uwharrie National Forest in Montgomery County, has burned 505 acres and is now 92% contained, according to Matthew Switzer, public information officer for the U.S. Forest Service.
Containment efforts have improved significantly since last week when the Falls Dam Fire was only 65% contained, and the Hicks Cemetery Fire was at 40%.
