Jack Igelman, Carolina Public Press Journalist Profile

Articles

Western NC forest plan under pressure from storm devastation, lawsuit and Trump

2 weeks ago | carolinapublicpress.org | Jack Igelman

A decade in the making, the future of the forest plan to manage Western North Carolina’s national forests is now hazy, threatened by a lawsuit, a presidential executive order accelerating timber production, and the scars of Hurricane Helene, which leveled thousands of acres of forest.
As NC wildfires rage, many can be blamed on one thing: people. 'We're our own worst enemy,' official says.

1 month ago | carolinapublicpress.org | Jack Igelman

Dozens of wildfires are burning across the state following a stretch of unseasonably warm weather, high winds and low humidity. And just like in years past, the majority of blazes can be traced to be one source: people. Between Feb. 24 and March 3, the North Carolina Forest Service responded to a staggering 806 wildfires — all caused by humans — that burned more than 3,300 acres across the state.
Conditions after Helene could make NC mountain wildfires difficult to contain

Nov 20, 2024 | carolinapublicpress.org | Jack Igelman

Despite recent rainfall, wildfire risk remains high in Western North Carolina, especially after an unusually dry October. According to the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor released on Nov. 14, Western North Carolina is abnormally dry, indicating a higher-than-normal risk of wildfires. “The rain’s beneficial. We need it, we want it, we’re grateful for it,” said Philip Jackson, public information officer for the North Carolina Forest Service.
‘Facing a deep threat.’ Helene survivors in Avery County determined to recover

Oct 29, 2024 | averyjournal.com | Jack Igelman

kAm}t({p}s — yF5J 2?5 s6??J '6?23=6 C6>@G65 52>2865 :?G6?E@CJ 7C@> E96:C D9@A[ !24< #2ED @? %9FCD52J >@C?:?8[ ~4E] `f[ 2 3=@4< 7C@> E96 pG6CJ r@F?EJ r@FCE9@FD6] %96J @A6?65 ag J62CD 28@ D6==:?8 >:=:E2CJ DFCA=FD[ 2?E:BF6D 2?5 42>A:?8 862C] p>@?8 E96:C 4=:6?ED 92G6 366? 2FEF>? =627 A66A6CD 2?5 >:8C2?E H@C<6CD :? E96 C68:@?’D r9C:DE>2D EC66 :?5FDECJ]k^AmkAm%H@ H66<D 62C=:6C[ E96 EH@ 2CC:G65 :?
'Facing a deep threat.' Helene survivors in Avery County determined to recover.

Oct 23, 2024 | carolinapublicpress.org | Jack Igelman

NEWLAND — Judy and Denny Venable removed damaged inventory from their shop, Pack Rats on Thursday morning, Oct. 17, a block from the Avery County courthouse. They opened 28 years ago selling military surplus, antiques and camping gear. Among their clients have been autumn leaf peepers and migrant workers in the region’s Christmas tree industry.
‘Just mayhem.’ Working to reopen national forests after Helene

Oct 17, 2024 | treefrogcreative.ca | Jack Igelman |Bob Brash |Robert McKellar |David Elstone

‘Just mayhem.’ Working to reopen national forests after Helene By Jack Igelman Carolina Public Press October 15, 2024 Category: Forestry Region: United States The U.S. Forest Service is working to begin reopening parts of the Pisgah National Forest following significant damage from Tropical Storm Helene.
‘Just mayhem.’ Working to reopen national forests after Helene

Oct 15, 2024 | wfae.org | Jack Igelman

The U.S. Forest Service is working to begin reopening parts of the Pisgah National Forest following significant damage from Tropical Storm Helene. While sections of the Pisgah Ranger District may reopen sooner, extensive recovery efforts continue across the region, particularly in the hardest-hit Appalachian and Grandfather ranger districts.
'Just mayhem.' Working to reopen national forests after Helene.

Oct 15, 2024 | carolinapublicpress.org | Jack Igelman

The U.S. Forest Service is working to begin reopening parts of the Pisgah National Forest following significant damage from Tropical Storm Helene. While sections of the Pisgah Ranger District may reopen sooner, extensive recovery efforts continue across the region, particularly in the hardest-hit Appalachian and Grandfather ranger districts.
Small businesses in Western NC seek path forward after catastrophic damage from Helene

Oct 7, 2024 | carolinapublicpress.org | Jack Igelman

Many of the areas worst hit by flooding from Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina were business districts that housed the shops, restaurants, warehouses, workshops, studios and storefronts of local families and entrepreneurs. Districts in downtowns throughout the region were affected, as well as communities made up largely of such businesses in places like the River Arts District and Biltmore Village in Asheville.
Out of the mud. Talking with storm survivors in Yancey and Mitchell counties.

Oct 5, 2024 | carolinapublicpress.org | Jack Igelman

At 7 a.m. on Sept. 27, six inches of water covered 82-year-old Richard Bailey’s road near Micaville, in rural Yancey County where he lives with his wife, he told Carolina Public Press a week later. Within an hour, the water flowing from two creeks, one of them Cane Branch, which framed a small enclave of a handful of homes, climbed the concrete steps and water entered his home.