ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The National Park Service plans to begin clearing debris left by Hurricane Helene along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville this month, work the agency says is aimed at lowering the risk of wildfires along the mountain route.
The first phase covers 208 acres between mileposts 380 and 391 near Asheville. The parkway is a National Park Service scenic byway that borders the city and is a regular hiking destination for residents and visitors alike.
Before crews move in, trained cultural and natural resource specialists will survey the work areas and then monitor the job on site, documenting conditions and protecting sensitive resources, according to park officials.
Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout described the project as critical for cutting wildfire risk for people who live along the parkway and for the emergency responders who serve them. She said the work will also be done with care to protect the scenic character and resources of the National Historic Landmark District, which draws millions of visitors each year.
Drivers should plan for traffic delays and lane closures in the work zone. Park officials said no full road closures are planned, because October is one of the busiest times of the year on the parkway.
The cleanup is expected to continue through spring 2027, so the job will run through the coming winter. Higher elevations around Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway regularly see snow and ice, while the valley floor sees less accumulation. Park officials have described the stretch between mileposts 380 and 391 as only the first phase of the Helene debris work on the parkway.