US Forest Service outlines Helene‑recovery plan for Mitchell County forests

The US Forest Service gave Mitchell County officials a detailed update on recovery work after Helene, emphasizing fuel removal, salvage sales and future restoration. "We've particularly been focusing on fuel to re removal, around 60,000 tons, that we've been able to remove so far," said Jen Barnhart, district ranger for the Appalachian Ranger District (presented in the meeting as the Pisca National Forest). Barnhart said state estimates put roughly 850,000 acres of forestland damaged by the storm, with about 25% of that damage occurring on national forest lands and Mitchell County among the hardest hit.

Barnhart outlined how the agency is prioritizing emergency responder access, reopening trails and getting recreation sites back online. She described a mix of tools — salvage sales where timber remains marketable and stewardship contracts that pay contractors to remove wood where markets are limited — and said the Forest Service is coordinating with partners including the National Forest Foundation, Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Wild South. Barnhart said several salvage and stewardship projects are active in Mitchell County and more are planned, and she urged landowners and residents to attend an upcoming community event to review project maps and mitigation options.