As the fire continues to grow at Party Rock in the Lake Lure area of Rutherford County, N.C., Polk County firefighters have been collecting donations and providing relief for firefighters there.

Tryon Fire Chief Joey Davis said all the county fire departments have provided multiple nights of coverage so far in Rutherford County. He said there are multiple agencies there fighting the fire and providing relief, some from far away.

Local businesses and individuals are also providing donations of food and supplies for firefighters.

White Oak donated bag lunches to firefighters on Monday, Mountain View BBQ was scheduled to feed 100 firefighters Tuesday night and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is providing meals Wednesday and Thursday night this week.

There were also donations from businesses and individuals taken to Tryon recently, including 80 cases of water, 30 cases of Gatorade/Powerade, 50 pounds of apples, bananas and oranges and approximately $2,500 worth of snacks, paper goods, eye drops, lip balm and hand sanitizer. Watson Flooring & Appliances in Columbus provided refrigerators to the Bat Cave Fire Department.

Davis said volunteering from Polk County is being coordinated through the Bat Cave Fire Department, with local crews helping on the Henderson County side of the event.

Residents from Polk County who wish to donate items to firefighters can do so either through the Polk County Sheriff’s Office or the Tryon Fire Department (see list of needed items at right).

“We’ll get the donations wherever they need to go,” Davis said. “We are in contact with various agencies so we’ve got a good idea of what needs to go where.”

Davis said from updates, it is expected Polk County fire personnel will be requested to fight the fire through Thanksgiving.

N.C. Governor Pat McCrory announced on Monday that if the area does not see rain or snow, the fire could continue to burn until March.

As of Monday afternoon, the Party Rock fire had burned 3,500 acres and was 15 percent contained. Residents in many areas were evacuated late last week and into the weekend.

The Polk County and Landrum area has been covered with a blanket of smoke since late last week because of the fire. Some area fire departments have issued notices to not call 911 or the departments for smoke only. Emergency calls should only be made if flames or a column of smoke is seen, according to the Saluda Fire Department.

“Of course the next few days look to be rough in terms of smoke/haze in Polk County, so I’d expect air quality alerts to continue for a while,” Davis said. “And with no sight of rain in the forecast the drought continues.”

Davis also said the county had several reports of people burning in Polk County over the weekend. A burn ban is still in effect for the entire county, which includes any outside burning.

“I wouldn’t look for the burn ban to be lifted until after the Party Rock fire is out,” Davis said.

Following is the latest list issued by the Bat Cave Fire Department of needed donations which can be dropped off at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Tryon Fire Department:

travel-size deodorant

hand sanitizer

hand lotion

shampoo

body wash

bar soap

small packs of Kleenex®

Pepto Bismol®

Immodium®

anti-gas and heartburn medications

laundry detergent and
dryer sheets for
sensitive skin

gallon sized jugs of unsweetened tea

feminine hygiene products

hot hands/hand warmers