Thread on #asheville #wnc #northcarolina #wildfires . . .

I've lived in WNC for more than 30y. Never seen anything like this. Pack a bag NOW. Medications, irreplaceables, important documents. Get pet carriers ready. Keep gas in your car.

The fact that we survived one disaster doesn't mean we won't have to survive another, and the authorities didn't learn the lessons they should have. If anything, they are LESS prepared now. Take care of yourself.

(my photos of Dix Crk fire for visibility)

Thread on #asheville #wnc #northcarolina #wildfires . . .

Best resource for actual on-the-ground updates is the social media of your local fire department. Text alerts don't work. Gov websites are poorly designed and don't work on mobile. Local media wants to sell you beer. Facebook wants to show you a post from nine days ago about someone's dog. YOU CANNOT STAY INFORMED PASSIVELY. Be ACTIVE and seek out info if you're in the path of a fire. Check on folks and ask that they check on you.

I don't know what kind of #asheville visibility I have here, but... here's a thread for #wnc #northcarolina #wildfires

TL;DR: Asheville and WNC, be ready to evac and don't rely on local govs or the media.

Not to be alarmist, but I learned some lessons from Helene, and they're being confirmed now: City/county government and local media WILL NOT alert you in time to act if there's an emergency. You're in charge. And it's time to take that seriously, because these fires are no joke.