LAKE LURE — As much of eastern North Carolina is still under a federal state of emergency for flooding because of Hurricane Matthew, the western part of the state is fighting historic wildfires — and getting a hand from Robeson County firefighters.
Dry conditions and winds are fueling nearly 20 wildfires throughout western North Carolina. More than 2,000 personnel from North Carolina and other states are involved in fighting fires throughout the region that have consumed more than 46,000 acres.
After emergency services poured into Robeson County in the wake of Matthew, East Howellsville Fire Chief Steve West saw his department’s assisting with the emergency in the west of the state as a good way to return that favor
“We needed to help them out. Me personally, it was a good chance to show our gratitude and give back to them,” he said. “They came down when we needed them.”
West is among more than a dozen local firefighters who have been cycling in and out of the affected areas.
“We were deployed to the Lake Lure area, and what they are calling the Party Rock fire,” he said. “Late last week we carried two trucks and eight people. Currently we have four people and a truck, but others are coming in to relieve them this weekend. We are going to be deployed until Thanksgiving.”
The East Howellsville firefighters had their original deployment extended by a week in the fire-ravaged counties.
There hasn’t been a significant wildfire in the Lake Lure area in a long time, so the forest floor is thick with flammable material, and falling autumn leaves are encouraging the flames to spread, said Victoria Tillotson, a spokeswoman with the North Carolina Forest Service. A total of 850 people were fighting the Party Rock blaze, which grew to more than 5,700 acres on Tuesday and was still just 19 percent contained, she said.
“We are filling in with structural protection, keeping the fires off of businesses and homes,” West said. “I’ve been there, it’s devastating what they have to deal with. That’s mountain area, you’ve got hills, valleys, mountain terrain — the fire does different things.”
West reported flames 40 feet high and very difficult conditions because of intense smoke.
To date, wildfires have threatened more than 1,800 structures. Investigations continue into the cause of wildfires, but arson is suspected.
Gov. Pat McCrory said dry conditions in the region may cause fires to last several months. Fires have caused air quality concerns throughout western and central North Carolina.
“The terrain and the wind condition is biggest problem right now,” West said. “There’s been a prediction that it could be there into January. The governor’s worst case scenario said March.”
West will get some rest in the next few days as he rotates back home as others relieve him. He extended thanks to neighboring fire departments in Northwoods and Allenton for stepping up and covering calls for his office while his firefighters have been deployed in the disaster area.
“I’ve asked both of my neighboring departments and everyone is helping everyone,” West said. “It really helps me feel the brotherhood of firefighters.”
Twenty-four helicopters are battling the blazes, which have spread from northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee into eastern Kentucky, the western Carolinas and parts of surrounding states.
Nationally, “there’s a pretty good ability to help out the South right now,” said Jennifer Jones, a spokeswoman with the U.S. Forest Service. Reinforcements have arrived from at least 37 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, she said this week.
One man died Wednesday on eastern Kentucky’s Mountain Parkway, where smoke decreased visibility. Kentucky State Police said about 14 others were injured in a series of wrecks on both sides of the road.
Firefighters got a lucky break when a fire reversed direction, turning away from the Trail of Tears, which marks the route where the Cherokee and other Indians were forcibly removed from their lands in the 1800s. In national forests, following procedures approved by the tribes, heavy equipment isn’t allowed within 750 feet of the trail bed unless life or property is threatened, U.S. Forest Service spokesman Terry McDonald said.
