AboutSteve Young Expertise I will answer all travel questions relating to North Carolina with a specialty in the Piedmont Triad Area. (Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point and surrounding area). I have traveled all over North Carolina from the Outer Banks to Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway. I especially like the mountains and the beach areas of North Carolina. I also love to play golf and try to take my sticks with me wherever I go.
Being a native New Mexican I grew up not knowing that much about the Civil War and NASCAR. Since coming to NC I have been indoctrinated into both institutions quite heavily.
There are many Civil War battle sites and other important locations in North Carolina. There is also the famous "Lost Colony" on the Outer Banks area.
Experience I love to travel and enjoy researching areas that are off the beaten track. I love the highways and byways of rural North Carolina
Education/Credentials BS from University of New Mexico
Expert: Steve Young Date: 6/15/2008 Subject: Peat Bog Fires/Light Inside Vehicles
Question Hello Steve,
I was driving a semi tractor rig for an unload in Tarboro, N.C. & a reload in Washington, N.C. this past Friday.
While travelling from Tarboro towards Washington I saw all this smoke everywhere. At Washington, they told me it was some peat moss and forests burning about 40 mi. to the East caused by a lightning strike I believe. One man said it occurs about every 4 years or so.
The strange thing which I noticed when travelling down the highway in this area is that there appeared to be a small bright light,somewhat like a strong candle or carbon-arc light like some fishermen & miners wear,burning inside about 70 percent of the vehicles I observed in the oncoming traffic. I couldn't tell whether the light in each vehicle was on the dash, back seat, or where it was though.
I just figured it's possibly something people burn inside their vehicles when these peat fires occur that somehow dissipates any smoke entering the vehicle. Could that be it?
I would appreciate any answer as to what those lights in those vehicles might be
Curious,
Mike E.
Answer Hi Mike,
The smoke you saw was from a very serious forest fire, called the "Evans Fire" which has burned about 40,000 acres of forest land to date. Here is a site with information on the fire: http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/fire_control/current_fires.htm
This does not occur every 4 years and has caused a lot of damage. It was caused by a lightning strike.
As far as the lights you saw in vehicles in the area, I have absolutely no idea what they might be. I have never heard of anything like that so I just don't know. Maybe someone will read this and let us know.
Take care,
Steve
