Brooke Rollins Surveys Wildfire and Hurricane Damage
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins recently toured areas in Western North Carolina affected by wildfires and Hurricane Helene, assessing the devastation and coordinating with local authorities and U.S. Forest Service members on recovery efforts.
During her visit, Secretary Rollins walked through the Blue Ridge Parkway, where she witnessed firsthand the severe impacts of the natural disasters.
“I met with North Carolinians who have suffered unimaginable loss from recent natural disasters,” Rollins stated, emphasizing the effectiveness of the U.S. Forest Service's preparedness and response strategies. Her discussions highlighted the quick containment of wildfires due to the proactive risk assessments and strategic resource placements by the Forest Service.
The Secretary's agenda included a detailed wildfire operational briefing and a roundtable with local leaders in Asheville to forge a path forward for disaster recovery. These discussions are crucial for understanding the needs of the impacted communities and ensuring the continued support of the USDA in restoring the much-relied-upon public lands.