Avery County Forest Office Reports High Wildfire Risk Amid Staffing Shortages

Richard Carpenter, a Forest Service ranger for Avery County, reported on the county's wildfire activity for the past fiscal year. He noted that the office responsible for forest protection is currently operating with only one person. During the period, the office responded to 59 calls, 39 of which were non-escaped illegal burns.

The report highlighted two major fires: the County Line fire, which endangered roughly $32.4 million in property, and the Banner Elk Highway fire, which put an estimated $1,216,500 in property at risk. The ranger also noted that the county saw 51 wildfires burn 277 acres, exceeding the five-year average.