The past several days have been intense all over Western North Carolina. Wildfires have been burning thousands of acres. Very dry conditions, unbelievably low humidity and wild winds have created a nightmare for residents, firefighters, and wildlife.

One of those fires is only three miles from my home. It sounds like a long way, but with steep, mountainous terrain, that is mostly inaccessible for ground crews, and high winds pushing the flames, three miles doesn’t seem that far away at all. 

When the Alarka fire started on Tuesday March 25th, it moved so fast that residents had no time to do anything but respond to firefighters beating on their doors, grab their dogs, and leave.

I have two large dogs and three cats. Those kiddos are my first concern. So the cat carriers came out of storage, the dog harnesses placed on the dining table, and I packed the very smallest amount of possessions I could. The dogs get the backseat, the cats the far back of the Subaru, and I get the passenger seat and floorboard for whatever I decided to take. 

Deciding what possessions to take is a wonderful exercise in what is important in life. Of course, my furry kids, but what else? Camera gear. A couple days worth of cloths. Favorite hiking boots. Checking account ledgers and info. Passport. Tiny safe with deed and other important papers and of course dog and cat foot. A couple of work notebooks. That was it. It all went into the car except the live critters. (Thankfully photographs are stored in the cloud).

I wasn’t under evacuation orders but I’m the only person responsible for my five kids and getting them together is like…well…herding cats. And wildfires can move incredibly fast with winds like we had. So I opted to live in a bit of chaos for a few days to make sure I could devote my full attention to saving my dogs and cats, if need be. 

I took Thursday off work to clear all leaves from my yard, which was already mostly fire-proofed. I keep it that way. But one area I left natural for the last five years, so there were considerable leaves within 40 feet of my home. I raked and hauled leaves for hours that day, which actually helped dispel some of the emotions that were spiking. 

There wasn’t a lot of information coming out from Swain County Emergency Management then, but in looking at weather and fire apps, I decided I could leave for a few hours Friday afternoon to attend the birthday celebration of a dear friend. That much-needed visit with friends helped me release stress I’d been carrying.

And then Saturday evening, there was a community meeting at the Alarka Fire Department. Before it started, I spoke with residents who had incredibly close calls with the fire. They said firefighters were beating on their doors and insisting they leave without being able to gather anything but their dogs. The fire started and spread very fast. They spoke of firefighters defending each home, with fire coming within 15 feet of many homes and within two feet of one home. All of those homes were saved. The only home burned was where the fire started, by an undetermined cause.

According to the state forestry commission investigator, there was a small half-acre fire that started from a power line and that was extinguished by firefighters. The big fire started at a home and the cause is under investigation.

Our local firefighters and state forestry commission did a great job but needed backup as the fire grew from 85 acres to over 750 acres in a day. (That’s why I was packed and ready to leave). They asked for more assistance and the Southern Area Coordination Center sent the Gray Team. I heard several members of this team speak at the meeting and they are an incredible group of people.

I learned so much about this national group that is called the National Interagency Fire Center after I got home and started reading their website. They are professionals from several agencies including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Association of State Foresters, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and USDA Forest Service. The guys and gals are top notch in their respective fields and mobilize to help when local and state agencies need help. The last time the Gray team was in this area was during Hurricane Helene when they operated a mobile medical unit based in Hickory. They respond to emergencies. I could go on, but for those interested, please explore their website at www.gacc.nifc.gov.

After the meeting and what I learned about the team’s efforts, I unpacked my car. And Sunday, I spent digging in the garden, transplanting mountain mint, under a misty rain. I wasn’t about to miss celebrating the rain. And as I write this, it’s actually raining steadily, this Monday at 7am. 

I love my little home, sitting atop a small 2050 foot high mountain. But what I love more are my furry kids….and camera gear. That’s what I chose to save. And that informs me greatly about my passion in this life: To document and share beauty. And that has never waivered. 

To the amazing fire suppression teams working 24 hours a day on these fires, thank you so much. The Alarka fire has burned 1511 acres as of Sunday, March 30^th. The Table Rock Complex Fire was declared the #1 priority in the nation on Saturday night. The fire size is 10, 904 acres. My supervisor’s husband is working the Tablerock Fire and I think of him and her often…and all firefighters and their families. The Rattlesnake Branch fire near the Shining Rock Wilderness as of Saturday was 1200 acres. 

There are four teams in the Southern Area Coordination Center. All four teams are here working these fires. This is the first time this has ever occurred. So as North Carolina burns, we have exceptional help with these teams and now, with rain, we are hoping the fires will be greatly diminished.

I leave you, dear readers, with a question. What would you save? Let that be a contemplation that takes you deep into your life.

Thank you for so many friends, family, and chosen family that have sent up prayers, support, and offers to house my zoo and me if the need arose. Much love and gratitude to you all.