In the Southeast, many people move to fire-prone areas, but few know the risk

Judy Potter on her porch in Tate City. She said now she feels better prepared for the next fire, and able to help protect herself and her home so that firefighters can focus on other things.

Arvin Temkar / NPR

Miriam and Phil Harrison moved to higher ground in Tate City, Georgia, several years ago after their home in South Carolina flooded.

They thought it would just be temporary.

“And then when it came time to go home, we didn’t want to go,” Miriam said.