From the North Carolina Forest Service:
Firefighters say thank you as they depart
The Party Rock Fire is now 100 percent contained. The much needed rain over the region serves as a cool and refreshing sendoff for most of the departing fire crews. Crews came from far and wide to help contain the blaze.
Oregon’s incident management team will return control of the fire back to the local North Carolina Forest Service district Wednesday morning, which will continue to patrol the area for several weeks.
“We are pleased to be at a point where we can release firefighters to go back to their homes and return a fully contained fire back to the home district”, says Incident Commander Link Smith. “We would like to express our gratitude to the community for supporting the responders and entrusting us to contain the fire.”
The firefighters would also like to thank the community and the citizens of North Carolina. The outpouring of support for the duration of the fire has been truly remarkable. The firefighters are thankful for every person who has helped the process of controlling the blaze. It takes a team to fight a fire and all those who helped are part of that team.
With resources leaving the fire and fire camp being dismantled there is no longer a need for donations. The donations received while the fire was active were greatly appreciated. If you are wishing to donate monetarily, we ask that you please donate to a local fire department or the Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation. The foundation will act as a pass through for needs directly associated with the fire.
Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation
P.O. Box 783
Lake Lure, NC 28746An event is planned for the public to be able to pay thanks to firefighters who battled the blaze. Lake Lure would like to invite those affected by the fire to an event to be held Sunday, December 4 at 2:30 p.m. in Morse Park Meadow located in Lake Lure. Those planning to attend are asked to wear a red or yellow shirt and plan to be there for 30-45 minutes to make a short video showing thanks.
Party Rock Fire information can be found on the Town of Lake Lure website (www.townoflakelure.com/).
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