Posted on 11/28/2016 9:00:50 PM PST by ReformedBeckite
GATLINBURG, TN (WSMV) -
One of Tennessee’s most popular tourist destinations is being evacuated due to wildfires. Downtown Gatlinburg and numerous area neighborhoods, including the southern part of Pigeon Forge, are under a mandatory evacuation.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has declared a level three state of emergency for the affected areas. TEMA says 30 structures are currently on fire in Gatlinburg, including a 16-story hotel.
The Tennessee National Guard will be deployed to Sevier County to assist with clearing and removing debris.
Officials said there are no reports of fatalities at this time. At least one person suffered a burn injury and minor injuries were reported in an accident involving a fire truck.
TEMA is asking Sevier County residents to stay off mobile devices unless it is an emergency.
The National Weather Service says nobody is being allowed into the city at this time.School buses are being used for emergency transport.
Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller is asking the public for prayers and asking everyone to stay off the highways so emergency vehicles have full access.
Fire officials decided to impose the evacuation around 6 p.m. Shelters have been set up in multiple locations.
Sevier County Schools will be closed on Tuesday due to the fires.
A fire in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has grown to about 500 acres because of strong winds. It began to spread rapidly due to strong winds on Monday.
The fire has been burning since last Wednesday and has forced several roads and trails in the parks to close.
Heavy winds are still expected in Sevier County until Tuesday morning, but rainfall is moving into the area.
It kinda rings a bell, but other FReepers may remember better than I.
I pray everyone is OK. Humans and critters. Such a beautiful area.
http://www.easttexasmatters.com/news/fires-force-evacuations-in-gatlinburg-tenn
Update.
This is awful, prayers for the people in Gatlinburg.
I’m not all that prone to conspiracy talk but it really was odd, how every single house on their way down was burning to the ground, but the surrounding woods weren’t necessarily ablaze. Does this neighborhood abut federal land?
Anyone have a scanner link?
Wow
I cannot believe those guys got out of there alive...must see video. Some interesting comments, as well.
“Elsewhere, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park evacuated employees from the Elkmont and park headquarters housing areas on Monday.”
It’s stupid of me to be thinking of bugs at a time like this, but I am. The synchronous lightning bugs, they’re a very popular sight at Elkmont.
When someone mentioned the Aquarium, it made me think of the Titanic museum.
It’s a special place, a slice of Americana for a whole lot of the east and midwest. I suspect it’s going to tear at the hearts of many people today. Touristy? Yes, but it’s sort of sweet and kind, a trip back in time in a very beautiful place. I just hate this. It won’t recover in our lifetimes.
Hi Guenevere! It’s very grim here in East TN...as of last night we were eight miles away from having to evacuate. Rain helped that more local threat last night, but many known attractions and structures in Gatlinburg are burned down or still burning. We can see fire burning on the (somewhat distant) mountain from our deck...not pretty. My daily commute that I will now begin will take me closer.
Are you thinking of CottonBall?
Not really the time for jokes. Lives and livelihoods on the line. These fires could be devastating.
North Georgia is burning as well....this area has been in a severe drought since this past summer.....
California style wildfires have become the norm...
Atlanta has been under a smoke watch for the past two months...
Fortunately, we have rain right now for the first time in over 90 days....and it heavy....should be 3-4 inches over the next day...
My daughter, granddaughter and I were there last month. We love it. Praying for a lot of rain. Im in Asheville and we have fires around here, too.
That’s it. Cottonball, everything OK out your way?
More rain is on the way tonight {Tuesday} and Wednesday. I'm 20 miles north of Knoxville and about 60 miles or so from Gatlinburg. The woods around here up until this rain were a fire waiting to happen. The fact we didn't get a huge downpour and have rain coming tonight may actually be better long term as far as fire goes. This rain is slow enough so it's soaking in instead of running off.
Bookmark!
This is so sad. I have been going to Gatlinburg since 1954. Honeymooned there, watched the kids grow up there and have been looking at a retirement home there.
A truly magical place. The strip has a lot of fun places to go or just sit and watch.Catch trout in the pigeon river and in a 5 minute walk you can be by yourself in the mountains.
I hope they get lots of rain soon. If this is arson it should be a capital offense.I would guess there would not a lot of sympathy for that type of crime in Sevier County now.
My prayers are with the citizens, visitors and firefighters who are all facing a daunting task.
Sad to see. Hopefully this can be contained and extinguished. I was just in the Smokies for the first time for a vacation last month, which included a full day in Gatlinburg. It’s an absolutely beautiful part of the country that I hope to visit again soon. Thoughts and prayers to all affected.
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