Above: A burnout operation on the Silver Mine Fire, April 26, 2016. InciWeb photo.
When we saw the photos below of the Silver Mine Fire burning very close to Hot Springs, North Carolina we had to share them. It’s the only time we have seen photos taken of a fire at the same spot just a few hours apart but one is in daylight and the other was after sunset. The first in each pair was taken between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. on April 26 and the other was at 9:45 to 10:30 p.m. The photos were taken by a resident of Hot Springs, Kevin Reese.
The fire started April 21 and since then has burned 3,000 acres. On Tuesday firefighters ignited a burnout operation on the north side of the fire using a helicopter. If all of the burnouts go as planned, the fire perimeter could be as large as 4,600 acres when the fire is contained.
Hot Springs is our favorite place to visit. It is my Grandmother’s home. I pray that the fire is under control and for the firefighters and Law Enforcement’s safety and success. This is God’s country and we love it! It is simply heartbreaking to see it burn.