The Party Rock Fire started November 5 on land that is part of Chimney Rock State Park in Western North Carolina near the communities of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. It burned for most of November before being contained. During this time it grew from 10 acres to more than 7,500 and was fought by nearly a thousand firefighters from 27 states. We were forced to evacuate our home for 11 days as the fire came within 150 yards of our house. In the end, despite many scary moments for residents, no buildings were lost and there were no significant injuries. A few days after this fire was contained the devastating Gaitlinburg TN fire happened. Firefights said the only difference between the enormous losses in Gaitlinburg and the lack of incidents in Lake Lure was the wind. In Lake Lure winds were usually under 20 miles an hour. In Gaitlinburg they were 60-80. We were blessed. Now, leaves cover much of the forest floor and obscure much of the charred remains.

A great time lapse video was done of the early stages of the fire. This burn is just over the mountain from us -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM82IcT5N7A.

After the fire the community created a video "Thank You" for the firefighters and posted in on You Tube -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUlSGRrYNxg.