On June 1, 2025, at around 11:45 a.m., multiple agencies responded to the discovery of a suspicious item on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The item was found in a dirt pull-off near the intersection to the Folk Art Center. National Park Service officers, Asheville Police Department’s Bomb Squad, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation agents were all part of the response team.
In addition to law enforcement, Asheville and Riceville fire and emergency medical personnel were also on the scene. The large response was due to the item being identified as an improvised incendiary device, raising significant safety concerns.
The incident is currently under investigation by the various local, state, and federal agencies involved. The National Park Service has not released further details at this time. The Blue Ridge Parkway, a popular destination for visitors, remains open to the public.