Where there's smoke . . .

. . . there's fire, but it may be far away. Luckily I'd heard this news on the radio before getting out of my car just now. It's for real.

RALEIGH, N.C.-- Smoke from massive wildfires in Georgia and Florida has drifted hundreds of miles into North Carolina, triggering emergency calls to fire departments across the region.

In Orange County, Deputy Clerk David Hunt reported that smoke from the South Georgia wildfires can be seen as a visible haze. As a result, the 911 communications center has received several phone calls to investigate the smell of smoke.

The smoke is being driven into North Carolina by strong winds that are preceding a cold front. Expected showers and thunderstorms should dissipate the smoke by Wednesday night.