Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
More than 1,500 people have signed a petition asking the National Park Service to scale back plans to remove nearly 900 acres of fallen trees and debris left by Helene along the Blue Ridge Parkway, with work expected to begin as early as September.
The National Park Service says the debris has increased wildfire risk in some areas near homes and communities. In a July update, the agency identified about 467 acres for possible ground-based mechanical removal and another 428 acres for possible aerial removal.
The Asheville corridor, between mileposts 374 and 396, includes 208 acres proposed for mechanical treatment and 428 acres for potential aerial treatment.
MountainTrue, an Asheville-based conservation group, created the petition earlier this month. Josh Kelly, MountainTrue's resilient forest director, said the group supports some debris removal near homes but believes the current project goes too far.
"MountainTrue does support some level of fuel reduction for houses, one that's focused on actual conservation and less on make work and lucrative contracts for federal contractors," Kelly said.
Kelly said MountainTrue would support work within about 100 to 200 feet of homes near the Parkway.
"We started this petition because there are super important benefits to the Blue Ridge Parkway, not only clean air, clean water, and recreation, but the wildlife habitat," Kelly said. "This is a national park for current and future generations to enjoy. What happens with this project will have a potentially permanent impact on the parkway."
Kelly said he is also concerned heavy equipment could increase flooding, landslide risk and soil erosion. MountainTrue wants the project scaled back and says it plans to send the petition to the National Park Service and federal elected officials.
News 13 reached out to the National Park Service about MountainTrue's concerns.
A National Park Service spokesperson sent News 13 the following statement Monday:
"The Blue Ridge Parkway, a National Historic Landmark and site managed by the National Park Service, prioritizes the preservation of the park’s natural and cultural resources, including its scenic landscape. The unprecedented scope and scale of Helene damage to the Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding lands will have impacts for years to come.
According to the National Park Service's July update, heavy machinery will only be used in areas where the agency determined terrain and soil conditions allow it to operate without causing unacceptable resource damage. Helicopters working with hand crews would be used for steeper or more sensitive areas.
The agency says it will also use erosion-control measures, restore treatment areas with native plants when needed and take steps to avoid wetlands. The National Park Service says it continues to consult with Tribes, State Historic Preservation Officers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state agencies and other experts.
The National Park Service says no full parkway closures are expected during the project, although brief single-lane closures could happen as needed.
#nationalpark #blueridgeparkway #helene
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WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
More than 1,500 people have signed a petition asking the National Park Service to scale back plans to remove nearly 900 acres of fallen trees and debris left by Helene along the Blue Ridge Parkway, with work expected to begin as early as September.
The National Park Service says the debris has increased wildfire risk in some areas near homes and communities. In a July update, the agency identified about 467 acres for possible ground-based mechanical removal and another 428 acres for possible aerial removal.
The Asheville corridor, between mileposts 374 and 396, includes 208 acres proposed for mechanical treatment and 428 acres for potential aerial treatment.
MountainTrue, an Asheville-based conservation group, created the petition earlier this month. Josh Kelly, MountainTrue's resilient forest director, said the group supports some debris removal near homes but believes the current project goes too far.
"MountainTrue does support some level of fuel reduction for houses, one that's focused on actual conservation and less on make work and lucrative contracts for federal contractors," Kelly said.
Kelly said MountainTrue would support work within about 100 to 200 feet of homes near the Parkway.
"We started this petition because there are super important benefits to the Blue Ridge Parkway, not only clean air, clean water, and recreation, but the wildlife habitat," Kelly said. "This is a national park for current and future generations to enjoy. What happens with this project will have a potentially permanent impact on the parkway."
Kelly said he is also concerned heavy equipment could increase flooding, landslide risk and soil erosion. MountainTrue wants the project scaled back and says it plans to send the petition to the National Park Service and federal elected officials.
News 13 reached out to the National Park Service about MountainTrue's concerns.
A National Park Service spokesperson sent News 13 the following statement Monday:
"The Blue Ridge Parkway, a National Historic Landmark and site managed by the National Park Service, prioritizes the preservation of the park’s natural and cultural resources, including its scenic landscape. The unprecedented scope and scale of Helene damage to the Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding lands will have impacts for years to come.
According to the National Park Service's July update, heavy machinery will only be used in areas where the agency determined terrain and soil conditions allow it to operate without causing unacceptable resource damage. Helicopters working with hand crews would be used for steeper or more sensitive areas.
The agency says it will also use erosion-control measures, restore treatment areas with native plants when needed and take steps to avoid wetlands. The National Park Service says it continues to consult with Tribes, State Historic Preservation Officers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state agencies and other experts.
The National Park Service says no full parkway closures are expected during the project, although brief single-lane closures could happen as needed.
#nationalpark #blueridgeparkway #helene
_______________
Follow WLOS on social media:
WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook: facebook.com/News13
WLOS ABC 13 News on X: https://x.com/WLOS_13
WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram: instagram.com/wlos_13
Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: youtube.com/user/ABC13Channel/?sub_confirmation=1
For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit wlos.com
Stream our newscasts LIVE: wlos.com/watch
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@wlos.com
Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340
--
WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
