The Chestnut Knob fire at South Mountains State Park is currently estimated at 6,435 acres with containment at 75%. Resources are continuing to be released to help with other wildfires in WNC.
The Clear Creek fire in Marion is estimated at 2,509 acres with 15% containment. There will be a community meeting tonight at 6:30 in Grace Community Church, 5182 US 70 Marion.
The Horton Fire in Watauga County is estimated at 1,350 acres with 65% containment and the Party Rock fire at Lake Lure is 7,171 acres with 60% containment. Three community meetings are scheduled for tomorrow:
10am - Lake Lure Fire Department - 622 Memorial Hwy
Noon - Chimney Rock Fire Department - 109 Terrace Drive - Lake Lure
 2pm - Bat Cave Baptist Church - 5095 Chimney Rock Road - Hendersonville

Caldwell County Board of Education recently recognized 6 schools for receiving honors by the NC Department of Public Instruction for success through PBIS, a schoolwide program that demonstrates the ability to work together productively, to use school data effectively, and to develop a support system for student behaviors. Baton Elementary, Davenport A+ School, Gamewell Elementary. Gamewell Middle, Hudson Middle and Sawmills Elementary - were presented with banners and Certificates of Recognition from the both the Department of Public Instruction and Caldwell County Board of Education.

With the lower temperatures and holidays upon us, remember to check your smoke alarms. The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half whenever there are working smoke alarms. Fire officials encourage you to test them and ensure they have fresh batteries especially with the arrival of cold weather and the holidays. Research shows most homes have at least 1 smoke alarm; while two-thirds of house fire deaths occur as a result of homes having no smoke alarms or none that are in working order. The National Fire Protection Association reports show that hardwired devices are more likely to operate that those that are battery-powered. The lowest death rate was seen in homes having hard-wired systems and sprinklers. Unattended cooking is a leading cause of house fires.