Rangers and multiple agencies, including the National Park Service (NPS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, responded to a suspicious device found on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, North Carolina, on Sunday. The incident prompted evacuations and a temporary closure of the parkway as a precaution.
The device was located near an intersection by the Folk Art Center at approximately 11:45 a.m., according to NPS officials. The FBI, Asheville Police Department Bomb Squad, and emergency crews from Asheville and Riceville were all dispatched to the scene. The NPS emphasized that specialists safely removed the item, with no current threats to the public at this time.
Officials with the NPS stated that the device was identified as an ‘Improvised Incendiary Device.’ The agency is currently investigating the matter through its investigative services branch and has not provided additional information beyond this. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch at 88,653-0009, report via the online tip portal at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip, or email them at [email protected].
In addition to the recent incident, the area is currently facing multiple wildfires in the Carolinas, prompting evacuations and the issuance of burn bans in parts of South Carolina. The Blue Ridge Parkway, which was under construction nearly 90 years ago and remains an integral part of the surrounding mountains and Appalachian communities, is a critical route connecting Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Travelers can enjoy scenic views, overlooks, and a variety of recreational opportunities along the parkway.
With the region experiencing heightened security due to previous incidents such as the discovery of 150 bombs in a Virginia home and bomb-making materials found at an Airbnb in New Orleans linked to a terrorist report, authorities continue to monitor the area closely for any potential threats. The NPS has issued an advisory to the public, urging caution and awareness amid the ongoing environmental and security challenges.