I would think the ginseng would be fine... since the root neck and next years bud spur are usually a inch or two (sometimes more) underneath the ground.
I have seen bud spurs in the past that were higher than usual and some of those may have suffered bud spur damage but a ginseng root (even if the bud spur is destroyed, eaten, burned severely) as long as the main root is Ok it will eventually develop another bud spur and send up a top. It might not happen by next spring, but should the spring after that.
Ginseng is a survivor... and even though in our lifetime we may not have seen wild fires quite like that... I am sure they have happened in the past couple thousand years a few times and the Seng survived those too.
On the positive side...
All of that ash... will sweeten the soil (temporarily, perhaps for a year or few)... raising the PH some. That usually leads to lush growth, the next spring. It should be Extra Green next spring.
And if you hunt Morels, I hear that burns are really good for morel hunting.
Prayers for all those affected by this in such a bad way, loss of property or even life. God Bless Them all.
TNHunter
