Governor Josh Stein joined the North Carolina Forest Service in Buncombe County on May 13 to thank them for their work during the current wildfire season.
Wildfire risk remains high in western North Carolina due to debris left by Hurricane Helene, which continues to fuel fire hazards. Governor Stein said, “A year and a half after Hurricane Helene, despite great collaboration to remove 16 million cubic yards of debris, the remaining debris is fueling wildfire danger across western North Carolina. Folks in western North Carolina know all too well how Mother Nature can wreak havoc, and they can protect themselves by staying vigilant and following burn restrictions. I am continuing to push for the resources needed to reduce these risks and keep people safe.”
The North Carolina Forest Service reports that more than 4,300 wildfires have occurred so far in 2026, with human activity causing nearly all of them. Efforts by state contractors and the US Army Corps of Engineers have removed significant amounts of debris from roadways and waterways; however, downed timber remains a major concern.
During his visit, Stein previewed the Disaster Mitigation Program (DMP), a new initiative allowing property owners to request no-cost hazardous debris removal. The program also aims to improve fire breaks and promote prescribed burning practices. Western North Carolinians will be able to learn more about this soon-to-launch program at ncforestservice.gov.
Matt Calabria, Director of GROW NC, said: “For western North Carolina families and communities, recovery is still ongoing, and wildfire risk is another real concern they are having to navigate at the same time. I encourage western North Carolinians to take advantage of trusted information, practical tools, and state resources that can help them prepare.”
Residents are encouraged by state officials to prevent human-caused wildfires safely; understand burn restrictions; strengthen home readiness through defensible space; review evacuation plans; and share preparedness information locally. Preparedness guidance is available through ReadyNC.gov.
In March this year, Governor Stein proposed his third Helene recovery budget for western North Carolina with $792 million aimed at continued recovery efforts. The proposal includes $17 million dedicated specifically for wildfire mitigation measures such as reducing risk on public lands and rebuilding forestry facilities.
The Office of the Governor of North Carolina serves as chief executive over state laws while leading policy direction through budgeting authority according to the official website. Josh Stein has served as the state’s 76th governor.
