Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has now visited natural disaster-stricken parts of western North Carolina.
During her visit, Rollins surveyed damage caused by recent wildfires and last fall’s hurricanes. She toured the Blue Ridge Parkway, received a wildfire operational briefing, and participated in a U.S. Forest Service roundtable with Asheville leaders.
She shared in a statement:
“I met with North Carolinians who have suffered unimaginable loss from recent natural disasters. The U.S. Forest Service was well-prepared, assessing wildfire risks in advance and strategically positioning resources to respond quickly. Thanks to their efforts, they were able to contain the fires swiftly... USDA continues to work closely with state and local agencies, as well as first responders, to support these communities and restore the public lands that so many rural residents depend on.”