The two wildfires were caused by high winds that downed power lines, according to the investigation completed last week by the Tennessee Department of Agricultures Agricultural Crime Unit. "Road closures may occur earlier than expected and additional roads may close as conditions warrant. The Sevier County Fairgrounds will open Friday to receive donations as well. Map: In light of Smokies fire in Wears Valley, track wildfires in Tennessee In a 10 a.m. briefing on Thursday officials said the wildfire southwest of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which is being referred to as the Indigo Lane Fire and Hatcher Mountain Fire, has burned 3,700 acres and affected 100 structures. Five fire apparatus vehicles were damaged. Appears the dozer operator info may be false; Fire now at 3000 acres. If you are in the Wears Valley or Walden's Creek areas please evacuate immediately. Anyone in the affected area should use caution as emergency crews continue to work. Officials with the Knoxville Fire Department confirmed that they would remain in Sevier County throughout the night, and likely into Saturday as well Friday afternoon. Red Cross officials confirmed the Pigeon Forge Community Center shelter will close at 2 p.m. Sunday. The fire was 30 to 40 acres and was 100% contained by Friday afternoon. There is no indication that there is any criminal aspect to the fire, Waters said. Follow the link to read our updated Privacy Policy, Morgan Wallen Celebrates the Release of One Thing at a Time with a Concert at His High School, Brush Fire in Pigeon Forge Forces Evacuations. Discovery Company. They said people in the Hatcher Mountain, Shagbark Resort and Little Valley Mountain Resort should evacuate immediately. But we will be back tomorrow and monitoring that closely, but well be back up here tomorrow at 10 oclock tomorrow but as long as this rain keeps falling we might be able to get a little sleep tonight.. After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire. Due to the spread of an ongoing wildfire , folks who live in the area evacuated beginning yesterday to stay safe from the brush fire. Live Update (4:16 p.m.): WVLT News spoke with the Sevier County Assistant for Governmental Affairs Perrin Anderson said the number of Last night we conducted fire patrol@and extinguished hot spots. "Fire at the Red Roof Mall in Pigeon Forge. " Hikers are advised to avoid hiking during this time period across the park, particularly in areas with standing dead trees.". About 20 fire departments had been fighting the fire, which had burned 260 acres, authorities said. Duran confirmed the flag and banner did, in fact, belong to him. Sevier County dispatch told WVLT News that there was a two-mile evacuation from Parkside Resort near Little Cove Road and Pine Mountain Road. It looks scary on TV, but Im proud of how everyone in the area has pulled together like they always do. Web-Must reside in State of Tennessee no further than 30 road miles from the Pigeon Forge Fire Station #1 or Fire Station #2. ", Things can be replaced, people cant, he said. "At this time, the high winds are anticipated to affect primarily the Tennessee side of the park," the park wrote on its Facebook page. Sevier County EMA officials released an interactive map for those in the area. "My heart goes out to those (residents) who were displaced.". The fire in Indigo is looking very good.. The combination of the precipitation and the winds dying down is a big step in the right direction. A fire destroyed a business and damaged others nearby Monday Sevier County Fire Chief David Puckett said he was grateful for every responders response and hard work. As of 4:30 p.m., forestry officials also reported one resident was injured and was airlifted out of the area to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. 3:03 PM EDT, Mon March 18, 2013. Duran currently lives in Coral Gables, Florida. Nighttime, we can usually get a good handle on containing the fire, putting it in a place to where we can bump crews out for the evening so they can get sleep, Smith said. Sevier County officials gave a major update just before 5 p.m. Thursday. But we will be back tomorrow and monitoring that closely, but well be back up here tomorrow at 10 oclock tomorrow but as long as this rain keeps falling we might be able to get a little sleep tonight.. Alice Hagler was reported missing by her family and later confirmed dead. Goodluck to all those fighting the fire. No number of firefighters could have stopped the fire in such wind conditions, Great Smoky Mountain National Park Deputy Superintendent Clay Jordan told WVLT News in 2016. Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters opened the conference by thanking the first responders that flocked to the area to help fight the fires that began Wednesday morning. Flying over Wears Valley pic.twitter.com/H7KQbUep14, Pete Michaels Traffic (@MetroSkyWatch) March 31, 2022. He wrote, Looking West just now from Gatlinburg Golf course (in Pigeon Forge). There is no cost, and in case you change your mind each email has an unsubscribe button. It wasnt until Dec. 13, 21 days after the fire started that the Sevier County Mayor announced that all fires in the city and the park were extinguished. Those in the Sevier County area can get the lasted information through the WVLT News app or from officials through Sevier County alerts, which come to cell phones automatically. The injured person was reportedly taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center via airlift. Michael McGrath who took this video says several more homes on the hillside have now burned. #tnwx #wildfire. It was reported that 35 homes had been burned from the brush fires. Ripley Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg evacuated all of its workers, reportedly leaving behind 10,518 animals. Updated This could lead to significant fire spread toward the northeast before the showers begin. Volunteers from around the world calmed the fears of victims as they donated millions of dollars to the relief fund. While out in the field conducting fire assessments, Pucketthad bumped into a fire crew that was trying to locate the owner of an Americanflag and Air Force banner. Multiple communities under evacuation orders as wildfires grow and new ones spark overnight. He said teams were out evaluating which roads could be reopened. Pigeon Forge, in eastern Tennessee, is best known for singer Dolly Partons theme park, Dollywood, which was not affected by the fire. Earlier, authorities had evacuated more homes as high winds fanned the wildfire and caused problems for helicopters sent in to help fight the flames. The Mountain Tough website was restarted following the fires, which is where those wanted to donate can find more information. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. A Kroger grocery store in Pigeon Forge caught fire early Saturday morning. Id just like to say I appreciate the outpouring of support, said the Sevier County Fire Administrator David Puckett. Just a few hours prior to the commercial structure fire, at 6:59 p.m. on Because of this, the addition of overnight rain was a necessity on Wednesday evening. Have a phone thats charged and on and listen to the media.. Deputies with the Sevier County Sheriffs Office originally told WVLT News that the Pine Mountain Fire started from a structure fire that started earlier in the day that was spread by the wind. pic.twitter.com/yysCq3tgIn U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer stated the National Park Service failed to notify park neighbors, visitors, and local residents of all planned and unplanned fire management activities that had the potential to impact them. That meant there wasnt any to spare for extra lodging. At least one structure in Blount County has been affected, Anderson said regarding the Millstone Gap Fire. Officials will work as fast as we can so that our folks can go home, he added. Phase one will be a trial on duty and breach and will be applied to all parties involved. More evacuation orders followed, including one for the Black Bear Resort area and the great Waldens Creek and Wears Valley area. TEMA hasnt determined the cause of the fire. pic.twitter.com/gEiFKKZAlb. Roads continue to remain closed and he suggested using Little Cove Road to access Wears Valley Road. Tennessee National Guard officials confirmed to WVLT News that a helicopter they sent to assist with the fire suffered engine failure and had to make an emergency landing around 11:25 a.m. All four crewmembers were unharmed in the landing, and the helicopter reportedly only suffered minor damage. It has been a brutal 24 hours in Pigeon Forge, TN. Crews with the Pigeon Forge Fire Department were prepared to stay out all night to make sure the fire was contained with about 50 firefighters working the fire. As of Saturday morning, the Hatcher Mountain Wildfire had affected more than 300 structures and remained at 85% containment, according to a release by officials. Local, state, and federal firefighting assets and personnel deployed to a Sevier County wildfire thats consumed more than 1,000 acres and resulted in the evacuation of more than 500 people. The My People Fund gave families thousands of dollars and a chance for people to rebuild. The chopper dropping water had to be grounded. Deputies with the Sevier County Sheriffs Office originally Severe weather poses statewide threat of strong straight-line winds, severe thunderstorms, and tornadic activity. According to Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Tony Watson, crews responded to a fire at the Red Roof Mall on 2828 Parkway Drive Monday around 2:05 p.m. Fire chief: The structure fire is currently under control. Officials said that several agencies responded to Cold Creek Resort around 10 p.m. Tuesday after a fire started in the laundry room. The delay caused stress for people already in a dire situation who were not able to plan where they would spend the night. For folks that lived in Walden Creek and Wears Valley, authorities asked them to evacuate as it was a dangerous place to be on Wednesday afternoon. The cop was like, You need to leave, like now, Zackary MacLellan reflected. Fourteen people were killed, and 191 people were injured in the fire. At 5:15 p.m. Remembering the Gatlinburg Wildfires five years later. Copyright 2021 WVLT. Multiple agencies responded to a large brush fire Wednesday morning that was threatening homes in the area. Firefighting continues, the park reported, adding conditions throughout the park continue to be dry with an enhanced risk for wildfires. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - An evacuation was ordered for residents in Pigeon Forge Thursday following a fast-moving brush fire that officials are calling the Pine Mountain Fire and has since been lifted. Authorities issued an evacuation for the greater Wears Valley and Waldens Creek areas just after 7 p.m. Sevier County Schools officials announced schools would not be open on Thursday, March 31 just after 7 p.m. Sevier County authorities told WVLT News that the fire had affected at least 20 structures, like buildings, and one civilian was injured. Copyright 2022 WVLT. Three more people were found dead on Campbell Lead Road. Wears Valley, Tennessee this afternoon. Waters said 11,000 homes had been evacuated throughout the day. He told her to contact 911. -Maintenance of a current certification in CPR and First Aid. -Maintenance of a current certification in CPR and First Aid. It was 30% contained as of Thursday afternoon, officials said. All parties agreed that Phase two would not start until Phase one was finished, scheduling the Phase two trial 200 days after the court rules on Phase one. Several apparatus and a dozer lost on the Wears Valley fire; dozer operator burned and flown out. Documents filed in the case obtained by WVLT News show Reed filed a claim in 2017. The fire was 30 to 40 acres and was 100% contained by Friday afternoon. County Mayor Larry Waters opened the conference by confirming that there had been no fatalities or missing persons overnight. Goodhue called the situation heartbreaking. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. An Air Force veteran whose Pigeon Forge vacation cabin was completely destroyed in the recent East Tennessee wildfiressaid he plans to rebuild in time for his anticipated retirement. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - An evacuation was ordered for Thewind is making this fire very hard to manage.". Officials had warned early Wednesday that warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds increased the risk of fire danger. A fire at Pigeon Forge has been contained. Highway 321, Wears Valley Road, was closed to traffic from Townsend to Pigeon Forge due to the fire. Parkside Resort is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Credit: Parkside Resort/Facebook. The fire prompted the Sevier County School System to cancel classes Thursday out of an abundance of caution for our students, parents, and staff members, it said in a message on its website. Residents told WBIR they noticed smoke that appeared to resemble a chimney fire in the area. Upon arrival to the area, they will receive their assignments to help fellow firefighters that have already been on scene for several hours, officials with the Dandridge Fire Department said. We are confident we have this fire in good check, he said. Only five acres were still burning Monday evening, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Director James Bassham told CNN affiliate WATE. John Tegler, 71, and Marilyn Tegler, 70, were dual citizens from Woodstock, Ontario, but owned a vacation home on North Skyline Drive in Chalet Village. Two helicopters left McGhee Tyson Air National Base with Bambi Buckets around 8 a.m., Director of Joint Public Affairs Darrin Haas said. The Hatcher Mountain Road Fire grew over the course of Thursday, but authorities also announced an increase in the containment of the fire. CNNs Janet DiGiacomo contributed to this report. The blaze prompted evacuations and closings. According to the update, the fire has been 30% contained as responders drop water from helicopters. Herman Duran is one of the countless homeowners and residents impacted bythe two Smoky Mountainregion wildfires that broke out in late March. Despite these challenges, we sent police fire and mass transit to evacuate citizens and visitors, said Miller. Officials said three people were found dead from fires in the Chalet Village area, and one person was discovered dead near a motel on Highway 321. Responders have confirmed to WVLT News that the wildfire in Sevier County has grown to 1,000 acres and affected 35 structures. But until then, on Wednesday night the relative humidity will be in the 30s and 40s with very strong winds out of the southwest at 15 to 18 mph with gusts of 40 to 60 mph. We want to especially thank our partner Knoxville Area Transit for providing us a ride! "I'm very grateful to them for honoring the flag and honoring me as well.". Wears Valley Road and Waldens Creek Road reopened according to officials with the Sevier County Emergency Management Agency. A no-fly restriction remains for the public for Wears Valley and Chilhowee Mountain through April 7, according to a release. All rights reserved. This is our favorite place to come, love it down there, sure hope no one get hurt or worse. At about 6 p.m. the department said it had burned approximately 250 acres. The relative humidity rose from a low of 16 percent Wednesday afternoon to 92 percent at 6 a.m. Thursday. And, its the days after that night that they said give them a new light in life. The National Weather Services spot weather forecast for the incident predicts that a line of showers will move into the fire area bringing about half an inch of precipitation between 3 and 6 a.m. While the fire was put out, several people are now without PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - An evacuation was ordered for residents in Pigeon Forge Thursday following a fast-moving brush fire that officials are calling the Pine Mountain Fire and has since been lifted. Knoxville Fire Department officials told WVLT News just after 8 p.m. that they deployed four units to Wears Valley to assist in fighting the fires, according to Knoxville Police Department Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks. What we do is we evaluate active fires, hotspots, Miller said. In response, weather experts said that combined with the dry vegetation and the strong winds, they issued a red flag warning. Seymour Heights Christian Church, located at 122 Boyds Creek Highway, is opening its doors to anyone displaced by the fire. Its UTV was been requested, officials posted. -Pass Departmental NFPA 1582 Complaint Physical Exam. On Thursday, things expect to be different. WVLT News Sam Luther spoke to a sheltering vacationer, who said if it werent for the kindness of strangers, he and his 20 family members would have spent the night in their van. The website (mountaintough.org) manages information and donations. Wind-fueled wildfires swept across Sevier County in 2016 claiming lives, homes and livelihoods forever changing the landscape of Gatlinburg and the Smokies. Red Cross volunteers have been put on standby and are ready to help if an overnight shelter is needed, said Sharon Hudson,executive director of the Eastern Tennessee chapter. As of 8:30 p.m., the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire was approximately 1,000 acres in size and had affected 35 structures. He also said he believed that his department would be able to turn over control of the Hatcher Mountain fire to local responders in the next 24-48 hours. However, another user tweeted a photo from Gatlinburg. That doesnt mean people can go home just yet, he said, but rather that he would soon give control of the situation back to county officials. Twin brothers Beau and Zackary MacLellan lost their home and their jobs to the fire. The fires caused more than $66 million in damages in Sevier County, according to early estimates. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - An evacuation was ordered for residents in Pigeon Forge Thursday following a fast-moving brush fire that officials are calling the Pine Mountain Fire and has since been lifted. Goodhue said the state trooper told him the neighborhood was being evacuated. WVLT News spoke with Sevier Co. officials, who confirmed the fire was still 45% contained as of 4:08 p.m. Friday. Please pray for those personnel and ALL the personnel working hard to extinguish this wildfire, officials said. This comes after fire crews were preparing for the threat of wildfires due to a Red Flag Warning. Officials said that airdrops will continue Friday morning. Waters did have some good news, saying he thinks that the worst of the danger is over. Country superstar and East Tennessee native Dolly Parton created the My People Fund to help victims of the wildfires. 2. The high winds knocked down power lines and started other fires, hindering communication to order mandatory evacuations. Live: Officials give an update on Wears Valley wildfire. appreciated. Sevier County officials updated the evacuation map, linked above, to highlight the most up-to-date evacuation orders Friday afternoon. Part of it is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I dont have a vehicle, and I have no way out of here. We are receiving many donation offers and are working on locations where donations can be dropped. All Rights Reserved. On the fourth day, winds picked up and the fire spread, but the Gatlinburg fire chief said projections showed no immediate threat to Gatlinburg. A schedule can be found below. #tnwx #wildfire They were staying in Chalet Village on Crooked Ridge Road. Click here. There will be an update on the noon news here shortly. An evacuation was ordered for anyone within two miles from Parkside Resort in Pigeon Forge due to a fast-moving brush fire, according to officials with the Sevier County Dispatch. Two more squads of two helicopters were scheduled to leave the base at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Haas said. 2022-03-31. Pilot killed in helicopter crash was former wildland firefighter, Higher than average wildfire activity expected in Southern Plains and Southwest, April through June, Long bushfire season wears down firefighters in Queensland and Western Australia, Community near Heppner, Oregon first in Morrow County to earn Firewise designation, County Cork fire brigades work through the night on gorse fires, Renewed call for the Holy Grail of firefighter tracking, Hiker owes $300,000 for Arizona wildfire he started. Posted: Mar 2, 2023 / 06:41 AM EST. The high winds that took down the power lines to spark the fires also fueled the progression of the fires,"Agricultural Crime Unit Captain Greg Whitehead said. https://bit.ly/3tV1vVs. Flames erupted in a remote area with steep terrain that made access to the fire difficult for firefighters. When the fire spread throughout Sevier County, more firefighters were brought in than ever before to start evacuating certain areas, according to Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller. A trailer full of cots sat unopened at the community center, untouched and not laid out for people to sleep on until late Wednesday night. When asked how he felt personally, Waters said he felt nervous and asked for prayers. For the brothers, the My People Fund helped them get back on their feet. While there between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., they encountered a few park rangers, one of whom told them to go to Pigeon Forge, according to court documents. Reed took the familys only car and left Constance and the two girls at home to drive to the Gatlinburg Welcome center to gather more information about what was occurring. The post Brush Fire in Pigeon Forge Forces Evacuations appeared first on Outsider . He also told WVLT News that buses are en route to Pigeon Forge Primary, Intermediate, Junior High and High School to dismiss students. All rights reserved. Wears Valley Road is still closed from Waldens Creek to Valley View. Some are calling it the Indigo Lane Fire. The Hatcher Mountain/Indigo Lane fire that startedMarch 30 burned nearly 2,500 acres, damaging 219 structures and destroying 130 of those. EMA personnel also asked that people do not drop off donations at this time. Wednesday morning Sevier Countys residents received a message telling them to report to the Pigeon Forge Community Center after evacuating their homes, but only late that night did EMA officials classify it as a shelter. Instead, officials referred to the center as an evacuation center.. Hatcher Mountain Wildfire 100% contained, number of structures lowered due to duplicate counts. The map below shows the evacuation area. Mayor Waters confirmed that there had still been no fatalities in the week, and the only person seriously injured had been released from the University of Tennessee Medical Center. -Certification as a TN Fire Inspector I or ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment. A trial date is set for July 12, 2022, at 9 a.m. at the U.S. I know folks want to go home, he said We are going to work as fast and diligently as we can so folks can go home and check on property., In a message to homeowners, Waters said we are working as hard as we can. Propane tanks have been exploding, Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Tony Watson said Sunday. Priorities are shifting now, Miller said, from the Hatcher Mountain Fire to the Millstone Gap Fire. Mayor Waters also said he would provide media with updates later in the afternoon, which WVLT will relay through the WVLT News App live. The fire is known as the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire according to the Emergency Management department. Officials have not determined a cause, and evacuations are still in place. Responders said the concern is a lot lower today than yesterday, saying the weather is better for fighting it. Winds were expected to die down Thursday. The Countys Emergency Management department said it is in the Hatcher Mountain Road and Indigo Lane area of the Wears Valley Community. I stand behind the people who made decisions. They said they are working on creating a list of donation drop-off points, but until those are released asked people to not donate. 2. If it keeps going, we already know well be here as long as we need, Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Tony Watson said. Duran was wearing a veteran's hat and mentioned his military service, he said. ET Thursday. SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) - Responders from several East Tennessee agencies are on the scene of a major wildfire in Sevier County. The Sevierville Convention Center, at 202 Gists Creek Road in Sevierville, is open as an evacuation shelter for persons displaced by the fire. Several fire trucks took severe fire damage near Wears Valley. However, due to the extreme nature of the wind continued to be a problem for the area. As Goodhue watched the flames from the nearby Dollar General, he talked to a man who was crying as he watched his home of 34 years burn. "It meant a lot to me," he said. Sevier County EMA officials took to Twitter late Thursday morning to give an update on damage assessment and donation plans. For those evacuated, a shelter was established at the Pigeon Forge Community Center Center, located at 170 Community Center Drive. Officials added more addresses to the mandatory evacuation order for the Hatcher Mountain Fire. He also contrasted this weeks event to the Gatlinburg fires of 2016, saying that officials and residents had learned valuable lessons on how to react to fires. As spring break runs through next week, this means that students should return to schools on Monday, April 11. Officials said they plan on beginning assessments for damaged areas following the fire, and asked that people do not call 911 for damage reports. More than 11,000 acres were burned inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; more than 17,000 acres were burned throughout the path of the fire. Responders said that one crew of firefighters had to abandon their vehicles and move back into already-burned areas as the fire approached Wednesday night. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said two juveniles were charged with aggravated arson, but the charges were dropped, according to attorney Greg Isaacs. A Type 2 Incident Management Team, the Southern Area Gold Team, has been mobilized. HWY 321 from Waldens Creek to Valley View, Tennessee National Guard members were sent to help with the Sevier County fire, A helicopter dropping water on the wildfire in Sevier County, TDOT officials drive as the Sevier County wildfire nears US 321 Wednesday night. Pigeon Forge Community Center located at 170 Community Center Drive is available as an evacuation center for persons displaced by the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire. The Hatcher Mountain Fire has impacted 100 structures and 3,700 acres, not including spot fires across the county. All rights reserved. Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters opened the conference by confirming that there had been no fatalities as of Friday. Clemmons spent lodging money on a cabin for the trip, which ended up in the evacuation zone. It could be 1 to 3 oclock right, could be all night. The visuals of the fire are tough to view. Officials later said that they believed the structure fire was later a separate fire, not related to the Pine Mountain Fire. I'm just really hoping everybody came off the mountain.. LG&E gives power outage update for Fridays severe weather, WAVE Weather Now Syncbak Channel Embed for PBE Page, Man killed in Blankenbaker Lane crash identified by officials, Governor Beshear provides updates after storms and damaging winds, Louisville mayor declares state of emergency due to severe weather. Firefighters escape Sevier Co. flames propelled by high winds, Firefighters save cabins in Sevier County as flames creep close. Heavy rains doused most of a wildfire that had damaged more than 35 buildings near the Tennessee resort town of Pigeon Forge, allowing authorities Monday to take firefighters off the line. All in all, Mayor Waters said, 70 local and federal agencies consisting of around 200 people responded to the fire. We were trying to stay here because the alert said it was a shelter, but when we got here they were saying no.. The smoke could be seen for miles, as a plume was captured on the National Weather Service radar stretching from Pigeon Forge to Dandridge. Eleven plaintiffs are suing the National Park Service, and the cases are broken down into two phases. That evening, wind gusts of up to 87 mph sent embers flying into Gatlinburg, wreaking havoc on the city and surrounding communities. Flames destroyed nearly 2,500 homes and left an estimated $2 billion in damages. KFD will remain throughout the night, and likely into Saturday. The fast-moving brush fire quickly grew to 30 to 40 acres and prompted It looks like somebody just went through there and just dropped a bomb on the place, Shannon McCostlin told WATE. CNNs Melissa Alonso, Sara Smart and Chris Boyette contributed to this report. Kaitlin Wright tweeted, Devastating video of the wildfire ongoing near the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area. Highway 321, Wears Valley Road, was closed to traffic from Townsend to Pigeon Forge due to the fire.