Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins surveyed damage from natural disasters and met with U.S. Forest Service members in western North Carolina last week. Recent wildfires and hurricanes have caused significant destruction throughout the region. During her visit, the secretary toured the Blue Ridge Parkway to witness the devastation left by Hurricane Helene. She then received a wildfire operational briefing and participated in a U.S. Forest Service Roundtable with local leaders in Asheville, North Carolina.
“I met with North Carolina residents who have suffered unimaginable loss from recent natural disasters,” Rollins said. “The U.S. Forest Service was well-prepared, assessing wildfire risks in advance and strategically positioning resources to respond quickly.” As a result, she said they were able to rapidly contain the wildfires. “USDA continues working closely with state and local agencies and first responders to support these communities and restore the public lands that many rural residents depend on,” she added.
