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Forestry nonprofit says nearly 46,000 acres damaged in Burke County after Helene; offers free recovery assistance
Summary
Eco Foresters told commissioners that the North Carolina Forest Service assessed almost 46,000 acres of storm damage in Burke County with timber-value losses estimated at over $10 million; the nonprofit offered no-cost technical assistance, crews for access/chain-sawing, and urged planning to mitigate wildfire risk and invasive-species threats.
Lang Hortell, executive director of Eco Foresters, briefed Burke County commissioners on the scale of forest damage from Hurricane Helene and the nonprofit's recovery work.
"Almost 46,000 total acres were damaged in Burke County," Hortell said, citing the North Carolina Forest Service damage assessment and estimating timber-related losses at more than $10,000,000. He told commissioners that most affected forestland is privately owned and that many landowners lack budgets or access to the equipment needed to remove downed timber or to safely perform restoration work.
Hortell described practical barriers: steep slopes and limited access complicate removal and restoration; the closure or shrinkage of local mills has reduced options for landowners to fund restoration through timber sales; and the buildup of dead material increases wildfire risk during drier months. He said Eco Foresters has two crews available for access work, invasive-plant control, tree planting and stream restoration, and that Community Foundation funding is being used to provide assistance to Burke County landowners at no charge.
Hortell recommended countywide planning such as community wildfire protection plans to prioritize and coordinate mitigation work, and urged the board to consider equipment and crew capacity for longer-term response. He also described education and workshops Eco Foresters runs to help landowners identify invasive species and plan for healthy forest regeneration.
Commissioners asked about equipment needs and potential costs for heavy machinery; Hortell said contractor rates for large equipment can range from about $2,000 to $4,000 per day and that Eco Foresters is exploring ways to wrap around funding and coordination with county emergency management. The board invited a fuller presentation at the regular meeting and asked staff to follow up on specific resource needs.
