Gatlinburg, TN Fire

M

Michael McCord

Active member
Guys, if you are so inclined, say a prayer for the folks and fire fighters in Sevier County tonight. Sunday into Monday night, we had sustained winds of 40 mph with gusts over 80 and low humidity. 14 fires broke out as contained wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park broke over control lines and new fires were sparked by trees falling on power lines. 150 structures have been totally destroyed, 250 more damaged, 1200 people evacuated, 12,000 without power, 3 confirmed dead, several more hospitalized, and more sure to come as authorities are able to proceed with recovery efforts. The local authorities were completely overwhelmed by the scale of the event. They have no estimates yet of how many acres have burned/are burning.

We have been under severe drought conditions, especially in the eastern half of the state, for several months now, resulting in low fuel moisture and frequent wildfires. This has been one of the most active fire seasons I can remember, and it's rare for us that it happened in the fall. Our state forestry crews have been stretched thin on fires in other remote areas of the state for weeks now, and they have been forced to abandon those efforts to attend to this tragedy.
 
A good friend of mine is a pigeon forge firefighter. I just spoke to him and heven said it's the worst he's ever seen. Hope they can get a hold of this thing soon
 
When that wind hit, fires were busting out all over the place. Once it starts running up the side of a mountain, there's nothing you can do but get out of the way.
 
Looks like you guys may get a well deserved break. Rain headed your way. Coming through us right now. Some tornado action but mostly heavy rain. Drought is over...
 
I'm hoping that y'all get some much needed rain from this front that is pushing through. Heck, I'm hoping I get some much needed rain. Not as bad off as y'all, but yesterday was the first day of rain in over 40 days for us. Hoping for more
 
Been a rough time for drought conditions all over Tenn. I remember friends we know in the Signal Mtn. area sending us pics of wildfires about a month ago.
Here's hoping the rain really helps get things under control.
 
I saw that on the news last night.

Interestingly, I am just reading a book about the widespread fires in Maine in the fall of 1947, when we had our drought of record followed by high winds in October. Much of Acadia National Park burned that year. Dry weather in fall with all the leaves on the ground is a killer.
 
The latest reports from today-
The death toll is now up to 7, but no victims have yet been able to be identified. Death toll will probably continue to rise as cleanup and recovery continues, and as new areas become accessible.

Over 700 structures throughout the county have been damaged or destroyed.

The Chimney Tops fire that originated in the GSM Natl Park burned over 15,700 acres. It was caused by people, but the investigation is ongoing. No word on the size or causes of the other 13 fires.

The tourists and folks living there had no idea how dangerous the situation was until it was entirely too late. This was shot as someone was attempting to evacuate-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGyHu4iX5-Y

warning, the language is a little salty, but I imagine mine would be too if my whole world was on fire around me.
 
I live about 2.5 hours form that area now, but stayed in a cabin in the Chalet Village, the very area the video was shot, less than 2 months ago. It's straight up the side of a mountain, completely forested, and with winding, confusing roads that I had a tough time navigating without smoke, flames, embers, and trees toppling into the road.

And as someone who uses fire as a habitat tool, it really brings it home how important it is to be responsible and careful with it. I burned some back in August, but haven't attempted any since we started having arson fires breaking out across the state.
 
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