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… A Forest Service type-II incident management team, known as a “blue team”, is providing the overall emergency response coordination and logistical support. Incident management teams respond to large-scale disasters, including fires and hurricanes… The Forest Service also concentrated resources to open access to isolated communities in and around the National Forest… Reopening recreational resources and rebuilding infrastructure is a top priority, since many businesses and livelihoods depend on access to the region’s national forests.