Friday, March 28 Biltmore Forest Update

Right of way storm debris removal has concluded with the final pass of most streets being complete. We cannot emphasize how much we appreciate all town residents for your diligence and patience as the Town has recovered from Hurricane Helene. Yesterday marked six months since the storm and we have come so far in a relatively short period of time. To date, the Town has removed over 380,000 cubic yards from the right of way and processed over 150,000 cubic yards of wood chips. This is the equivalent of nearly 4 ½ football fields of vegetative debris, 66 feet deep.

Over the next several weeks, the Town’s debris contractor will begin private property debris removal for eligible properties. Eligibility approvals and notifications will be communicated to applicants next week. Storm damaged debris removal from public spaces, parks, and waterways is also continuing.

In addition to ongoing debris removal, wildfire mitigation efforts are the Town’s primary focus. The Town has continued to advocate for vegetative debris removal from beneath overhead power lines with Duke Energy and at the state and federal level. Last week, we received approval from FEMA for the Town’s contractor to conduct this removal. This is a significant change from prior FEMA policy and allows us to continue prioritizing the safety of the Town and our citizens. This work will commence within the next several weeks. Please remain vigilant and call 911 if you see any open fires burning within the Town or adjoining area. As a reminder, the Town is under a full burn ban that includes residential fire pits and burning within 100 feet of a residence until further notice.

On behalf of the Mayor, Board of Commissioners, and entire Town staff, please know how appreciative we are for the patience and support offered by all residents during the past six months. We are so thankful for you as we continue moving forward to full recovery.