News Release

National Park Service Announces Upcoming Work to Reduce Wildfire Risk on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Photo of roadside storm debris near Craven Gap, milepost 377.4.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: April 21, 2026 ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The National Park Service today announced plans to remove hazardous, storm-generated tree debris from six areas with elevated wildfire risk along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia. This project is the latest in a number of federal recovery efforts advancing under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump in response to Hurricane Helene damage across western North Carolina.  

The project aims to reduce wildfire danger while preserving the visual character of the Parkway by removing burnable organic materials—often referred to as fuels—to protect public safety and natural resources. Scheduled to begin in late summer, the NPS will remove downed vegetation from just under 3,000 acres of park land in North Carolina and Virginia. This debris from Hurricane Helene has accumulated in volumes and locations that present a clear wildfire risk to communities, homes and other resources. It also creates safety hazards for emergency responders, staff, visitors and adjacent landowners. 

Areas identified as having elevated risk and where removal work will take place, include: 

• Galax and Hillsville: 292 acres between mileposts 205–215 
• Laurel Springs: 129 acres between mileposts 249–267 
• Boone: 769 acres between mileposts 280–300 
• Linville Falls: 527 acres between mileposts 310–319 
• Little Switzerland: 325 acres between mileposts 324–341 
• Asheville: 829 acres between mileposts 374–396 

As work takes place in these areas, park visitors and neighbors can expect intermittent traffic delays due to one-lane closures. The park aims to complete initial fuel removal work by spring 2027.  

To learn more about this project, the park will hold three open-house-style informational meetings for neighbors, adjacent communities, stakeholders and anyone interested in the project: 

• May 5 (5–7 p.m.) — WCC at Crossroads, 1117 East Stuart Drive, Galax, VA 
• May 6 (5–7 p.m.) — Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, milepost 384, 195 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 
• May 7 (5–7 p.m.) — Caldwell Community College, Watauga Campus, at the Watauga Student Commons, 460 Community College Drive, Boone, NC 

Once work begins, the park will use heavy equipment to reduce fuels and remove debris. The park will then target specific areas for revegetation to support forest restoration and natural ecosystem recovery. Parkway leadership, in coordination with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Appalachian Piedmont Coastal Zone Fire Management staff, the U.S. Forest Service, the NPS Washington Support Office and consultants, has conducted fire risk modeling and field assessments to evaluate debris levels that could lead to unpredictable fire behavior. 

This interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts designed the project to reduce wildfire risk while preserving the Parkway’s historic, natural and scenic character. 

Please visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BLRIFuelReduction for further information.  

About the National Park Service.  Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.