Morganton Residents Pray As Wildfires Bear Down On Their Homes

MORGANTON, NC– “We don’t have a good feel for where it’s at or how much time we have,” said Fred Waugh.

Hundreds of concerned citizens living in the Morganton area near the Chestnut Knob fire came to the Enola Fire Department hoping for more information on where the fire is going and what they need to do to protect their homes.

“I’m concerned about my neighbors homes I got a lot of friends that live in this area and we’re praying they get it out before it gets anybody’s home.”

North Carolina Forest Service and Florida Forest Service joined Burke County officials. They say they’ve formed a team dedicated to helping protect structures while firefighters will work through the night into friday guiding the fire down the mountain to the Henry River.

“We have a control line in there they’re waiting for the right conditions and then just bringing the fire along very slowly.”

Burke County Social Services was there to ensure people help will be in place should the fire spread forcing people out of their homes.

“We’re getting a schedule together to make sure we can man the shelter 24 hours a day seven days a week.”

Officials told people to get their sprinklers in place around their homes, blow all leaves and cut back vegetation so the fire doesn’t have any fuel near their homes.

“We believe in prayer so we’re going to be praying the wind blows the other way.”