Dozens of wildfires devastating forests across the Appalachian Mountains are causing mass evacuations, including an entire town in western North Carolina. The fire at Party Rock is one of more than 20 fires ongoing in North Carolina. The Party Rock Fire, which has now consumed about 7,200 acres, is headed toward Lake Lure, a community of around 1,200 people. Lake Lure is a popular weekend getaway, located just beside a lake with the same name in Chimney Rock State Park. The fire, which grows at a rate of 1,000 acres per day, threatens to destroy dozens of stores and devastate the small town. Around 920 firefighters, who are working to protect homes and businesses, now have 36 percent of the fire contained. A wildfire like this hasn’t occurred in the Lake Lure area in a long time, so the forest floor is dense with highly flammable material, and falling autumn leaves are aiding the flames to spread. Conditions on the ground remain arid and there has been no rainfall in the area for 47 days. Because of predicted high winds for this weekend, officials say the wildfire could expand to the northeast, east, and southeast. About 1,000 people have already been evacuated from their homes in Lake Lure and more pre-evacuation notices have already been sent out for the surrounding areas. While majority of business owners have evacuated, some inns have remained open to provide food and shelter to those firefighters who have come to the area to help. Firefighters are working steadily to contain the fires, but outside conditions are not in their favor. So far, the fire has not brought about the loss of any homes or structures. Thankful, the members of the Lake Lure community are just hoping to reopen their shops and get back to their usual life.