With over twenty fires ranging in the North Carolina mountains in 2016, how did an emergency response network, already pushed to the breaking point, respond to a fire threatening to devour the mountain communities of Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Shumont and Bat Cave?

This true account of the Party Rock Fire, that started November 5, 2016 and initiated the largest request for mutual aid the state had ever seen, throws light on the kind of heroism and professionalism displayed by the men and women who fight fires to protect us and ours. North Carolina has over 52,000 North Carolina firefighters, of whom approximately 42,000 are volunteers who come from 1,940 fire stations sprinkled throughout the state's 100 counties. This force, along with the 650 men and women of the North Carolina Forest Service make up the state's awe-inspiring first responders who have the training, equipment and courage to answer to emergencies like the Party Rock Fire. It raged for 14 days, burning over 7,000 acres and threatening over 1,200 structures, of which all were protected and saved by the heroism of this force.