IAFF Members Battle Western North Carolina Wildfires

November 15 • 2016

Fire fighters, including some IAFF members, have been dispatched from across North Carolina to help contain wildfires in the western part of the state.

Dry conditions are currently helping to fuel at least 15 major fires, which have burned thousands of acres across western North Carolina. Heavy smoke is preventing the use of planes or helicopters to battle the blaze. All efforts to contain these fires are limited to ground operations.

“The area where these fires are is very mountainous, so our members have the added challenge of steep terrain,” says President of the Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics of North Carolina Tom Brewer. “But, they are focused on their tasks and are hopeful that they will soon be able to contain these fires.”

As of November 14, containment of the fires varied from 15 to 60 percent.