11/24/16 A Fire Family Thanksgiving at North Carolina Fires

Click here for a Fire Family Thanksgiving slideshow.

“Happy Thanksgiving” a sentiment that over 6,000 firefighters, representing all 50 states, heard at briefing this morning, throughout the south. Digging line, laying fire hose, burnout operations, engine and aviation operations, dispatching personnel from across the nation, and securing containment lines, were activities that replaced traditional celebrations that most would have had with family.

However, despite fire season colliding with Thanksgiving Day, spirits remained high across all fires with the outpouring of gratitude and support from affected communities.  Many fires reported that firefighters were treated to Thanksgiving dinners, well wishes, thank you cards from the communities. The following is a list of how firefighters celebrated the holiday:

• At the end of the shift on the Party Rock Fire, firefighters were treated to a Thanksgiving meal provided by the North Carolina Baptist Men’s Convention, helped out by volunteer servers who came from across the state. The dinner was complete with firefighters receiving ‘thank yous’ from area volunteers and numerous churches and civic organizations.
• Boy Scout Troop 605, along with the Bat Cave Volunteer Fire Department helped prepare serve dinner to firefighters on the Party Rock Fire.  Steve Troxler, the North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture and Butterball Turkeys provided turkeys for the dinner.
• Maple Springs firefighters talked to Public Information Officers about what they are thankful for this holiday.
• Horton Fire Incident Commander thanked firefighters at morning briefing by saying, “We are very thankful for the wonderful community, and the dedication of all responders. Thank you to all the crews working this Thanksgiving.”
• Night fire crews from the Chestnut Knob Fire posted a video to their Facebook page wishing their friends and family a Happy Thanksgiving.

Across North Carolina, fire crews expressed thanks, and gratitude, to all the many people and communities who have taken time out to help cook and serving food, send well wishes, and remember them for their efforts to them over the holiday.  Despite not being home with their own families, there is certainly a family like feeling among communities and emergency responders.

Currently the southern area is experiencing unprecedented fire activity due to extreme drought conditions.  Approximately 120,000 acres continue to burn across several states.  Fire activity is expected to continue for the next several weeks unless measurable moisture is received.

Horton Fire Thanksgiving Dinner: The community provided a remarkable Thanksgiving feast tonight to firefighters! Residents of the Blue Ridge Mountain Club packaged over 80 dinners for firefighters working on the line and through the night. Included with the much appreciated dinners were heartfelt "thank you" notes from Cove Creek second graders. Thank you for making Thanksgiving special on the Horton Fire!

VIDEO: Thanksgiving dinner at Rock Mountain Fire - click here