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November 21, 2016

Something’s Burning and It Isn’t Love

17 Comments/ 41/ 1

If you have seen any of the news recently you may have seen mention of wildfires.  So often those wildfires are located out west and while they are of great concern they don’t really affect me.  That sounds really shallow as I write it but I think you understand.   If something is not right in front of me sometimes I acknowledge it and then move on.

But now the fires are not in the west –they are in North and South Carolina with the one closest to me, The Pinnacle Mountain fire, being about 7 -8 miles away.  Now I don’t know about you but that is too close for comfort for me.  The Pinnacle Mountain fire has burned over 3500 acres as I write this.  The amount is certain to increase. One article I read reported 15 wildfires have burned 47,000 acres.

A recent news article from WYFF 4 detailed the efforts of the firefighters to contain the fire.  This containment involved a burnout in an effort to remove fuel for the fire.  This is an intentional burn to help contain the spread of the fire.  Making firelines is what can help to contain a raging forest fire.  It is an odd to think about but it does make sense.  If I understand it correctly the method used sort of turns  the fire in on itself by creating lines or trenches that stop the fire from advancing beyond  a certain point.  In the case of the Pinnacle Mountain / Table Rock fire which is closest to us they have made the fireline and actually intentionally set a fire on top of the mountain in an effort to force the fire to burn down the mountain to be contained by the firelines.

To understand how these work I went to the National Park Service website and found the following information.

A fireline is a break in fuel, made by cutting, scraping or digging. It can be done by mechanized equipment such as bulldozers, but in most parks, it is done using handtools.
In building fireline, all fuels are removed and the surface scraped to mineral soil between 6 inches and 3 feet wide depending upon the fuel and slope. It needs to be wide enough to prevent smoldering, burning or spotting by embers blowing or rolling across the line. If it is safe, firelines should be wider at the head of the fire than along the flanks. Firelines can also be made or enlarged by back burns where fuels between the advancing fire and the line are burned out to slow or stop the fire.

The conditions in our area have been so very dry. When we moved to Connestee Falls last summer we were told we moved to a rain forest.  I agreed because it rained a lot.  This year has been quite a different story. We have experienced a drought and with that drought came the fires.  It is a no win situation.

Stray sparks can be carried on a wind gust for miles.  A carelessly dropped cigarette butt can smolder and ignite. Dry leaves that are everywhere can combust easily. Everyone is urged to be vigilant.

Sometimes events don’t become real until they are in your backyard.  This is true in this case.

On my flight home from Ohio last week I flew over the fires in the Nantahala National Forest.  I could see the smoke coming from the fires in the mountains. fire3

fire2

fire Once I got closer to landing in Asheville it was the smoke and haze that was apparent.  asheville

So what do we need?  Rain. And lots of it.  Prayers going up for all who are fighting the fires and for their families who are supporting them.

If you are so inclined to help with donations there are many places that are accepting donations in our area.  Items listed as being needed include: sleeping bags, blankets, wool boot socks, blister care, eye drops, nasal spray, and lip balm. Pinnacle Mountain fire crews need hydrating sports drinks such as Gatorade, disposable plates/cups/silverware, coffee and liquid creamer, fruit, and headache pain relievers.  There are many lists of donation sites and our own Connestee Fire Department has been very actively involved.  Here is a list of donation sites to check out.

If you can’t do that just pray.  We saw a firefighter couple eating lunch while we were out and we bought their lunch.  Not a big deal but a gesture to show our appreciation for what they are doing.

Thanks to all who have donated already and for all who are lifting these fires and firefighters up in prayer.

*****After I wrote this post we had a small fire pop up by one of the entrances to our development. Thank goodness the firefighters were there within minutes to put it out.  Very grateful for each one who has worked hard to keep these fires under control.

*******Sunday afternoon update:  We received word that the fire jumped the fire line and a road that runs next to our development is now closed by the gate we come in and out.  We have been told that while we are not under evacuation orders yet we need to be prepared.   The closest fire is now 5 miles from us. Please pray.

 

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17 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Dawn
    November 21, 2016 at 07:05 am

    Just stay safe. Get your important documents and maybe your hard drive(s) ready. Keep your pets inside, possibly already in their crates. Be ready to move in seconds.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 21, 2016 at 07:07 am

      Today we will probably know more about containment and if we have to leave. We have lock box ready, cat carriers out and will load up the cars if need be. Thank you —we won’t risk anything and have a really great community message system. Plus we have our own fire department right outside our gate and they are on top of all of this so we feel that we will be well taken care of. Thanks for the good thoughts.

      Reply
  2. Virginia Pillsbury
    November 21, 2016 at 07:23 am

    Praying, dear friend.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 21, 2016 at 07:23 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  3. Marci B
    November 21, 2016 at 08:36 am

    Sigh… you know what I’m doing….Didn’t sleep much last night. Too wound up. Plus the half a bar of dark chocolate didn’t help! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 21, 2016 at 09:18 am

      Oh goodness, Marci. Half a bar of dark chocolate would definitely do me in!

      Reply
  4. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    November 21, 2016 at 09:52 am

    I remember wondering when I first heard this on the news if the fires were anywhere near you. But then I forgot to ask and I didn’t read anything on your blog. But now…oh, my. This is frightening. Five miles are mighty close. Yes, I will pray. You sound as prepared as you can be. Stay safe, my friend, and please keep us updated.

    Reply
  5. Robin Russell
    November 21, 2016 at 09:52 am

    Praying for the heavens to open up and rain until every fire is out. Will stay tuned to how it’s going.

    Reply
  6. Denise Mendenhall
    November 21, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    I am keeping all of you in my prayers. Stay safe and please stay on top of the communication. Sending you love!

    Reply
  7. Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
    November 21, 2016 at 01:59 pm

    Prayers! Think of everyone involved!

    Reply
  8. josh
    November 21, 2016 at 02:30 pm

    Stay safe!

    Reply
  9. Priscilla King
    November 22, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    Er um…I’m taking this morning’s post as evidence that you’re safe at home. Is this true?

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 22, 2016 at 01:33 pm

      We are safely on the way to Raleigh with neighbors promising to let us know if things escalate. Right now we are still 5 miles from fire. I feel fairly confident they will contain it in DC. But if we need to turn around and come home we can.

      Reply
  10. Showing My Thankfulness Through Comments for a Cause - It's Just Life
    December 01, 2016 at 06:01 am

    […] The past two weeks my world was rocked.  If you were following along lately you know that there was a huge wildfire that was human started (campfire) in Pickens County in South Carolina.   I wrote a little bit about my fears in this post. […]

    Reply
  11. Dianna
    December 01, 2016 at 06:32 am

    Very frightening — your photos are amazing.
    Praying for the firefighters and for rain for the area.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 01, 2016 at 07:19 am

      Thanks, Diana. Today as I woke up there is steam coming off the lake and the sky is less smoky. I think the rain of the past 2 days has really done what we needed it to do. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.

      Reply
  12. Are You Irma Ready? - It's Just Life
    September 08, 2017 at 06:00 am

    […] fall when wildfires threatened our home (you can read about that here)  Chris and I got our first real taste of trying to be prepared for evacuation.  It wasn’t fun […]

    Reply

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