Laura Hackett
Appearances
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-28-2025 6PM EDT
Much of western North Carolina is blanketed in smoke as thousands of acres of forest land burn and new fires continue to crop up. Near the South Carolina border in Canesty Falls, Sheriff Chuck Owenby is working with the fire department and state responders. They've been working their hind ends off just to keep everybody safe.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-28-2025 6PM EDT
Usually in these situations, his team would call in help from other counties.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-28-2025 6PM EDT
As the local staff fights the fires, the State Forest Service has staffing problems. The department was reported to have 100 vacancies earlier this month. For NPR News, I'm Laura Hackett in Asheville, North Carolina.