Last night at the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, members heard an update on the state of emergency burn ban Buncombe County declared in response to widespread fires across Western North Carolina.
Ryan Cole, assistant director of emergency services for the county, said the state of emergency will continue for an unclear amount of time. The emergency will lift “when conditions improve and risk factors recede,” which would require a significant amount of rainfall that’s not currently in our forecast, he said.
“Some rain might be coming this weekend,” Cole said. “But it will probably not get to the substantial level because the dryness is significantly into the bed of the forest floor…until we get moisture down to the soil [the rain] won’t have that significant of an impact.”
Cole also urged residents to practice personal responsibility as theregion weathers the fire. The most important thing residents can do is maintain a “defendable space” of up to 100 feet around their home, meaning the area surrounding a home – especially in heavily forested areas – should be raked of leaves, twigs, and other natural debris. To learn how to protect your home, visit this page.
“If we’re not clearing out around our homes, it will be extremely difficult [for the fire department] to be able to protect them,” he said. “If [leaves] get up near the gutters, they can get into the eaves of the house and underneath and create an attic just from embers.”
Emergency Services is also partnering with agencies around the state in case they are needed in Buncombe County and working to create shelter options in case any residents need to be relocated.
In the event of an emergency, Buncombe County will utilize its Code Red text messaging system to communicate with residents. To receive alerts, text “BCAlert” to 99411 or register online.
$40 million to school infrastructure
Infrastructure at Asheville City and Buncombe County schools will receive a $40.4 million boost, from the School Capital Fund Commission. Asheville City Schools will get $9.3 million, and Buncombe County Schools will get just more than $31 million. Repair projects will include everything from new stadium lighting and HVAC upgrades to improved security systems in school lobbies. View a complete list of projects.
Other tidbits
- Homeward Bound will net an additional $195,000 in ARPA funding for the permanent supportive housing development known as Compass Point Village. The money is part of $390,000 of outstanding fees which are needed to cover the complex’s final renovation work. Homeward Bound plans to ask the City of Asheville to cover the remaining $195,000.
- The county courthouse will glow green through November 12 as part of Operation Green Light. The lights are part of a national movement for Veterans to let them know they are seen, appreciated and supported.
- Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara was designated as the official point person for the county as it works to support a low-barrier shelter. This type of shelter, which provides emergency housing with minimal strings, has been discussed for several years by community members.
- The county has proclaimed November as Adoption Awareness Month in honor of adoptive parents and their contributions to our community.
Every first and third Tuesday, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meets at 200 College Street, Room 326 in downtown Asheville beginning at 5:00 p.m. See the full recording of the November 7 meeting.
