Great Smoky Mountains wildfire. Image by Jeaneane Payne |
|
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK — The Chimney Tops 2 Fire was reported in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, TN on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at approximately 5:20 p.m. The wildfire began burning in a remote location (Chimney Tops) of the park in steep terrain with vertical cliffs and narrow rocky ridges making access to the wildfire area difficult for firefighting efforts. On Monday, November 27, the exceptional drought conditions and extreme winds caused the wildfire to grow rapidly, causing numerous new wildfire starts from embers carried miles away and downed power lines in and adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The wildfire was determined to be human-caused and is currently under investigation.
To date, there are 16 confirmed fatalities. Fifteen were caused directly by the fire; one was a heart attack that occurred while the victim was fleeing from fire. Over 80 individuals sustained injuries, and more than 875 structures were destroyed.
Chimney Tops 2 Fire is currently burning in brush, hardwood slash, and leaf litter. Fire crews are continuing to mitigate hazards and secure the fire perimeter. The Southern Area Red Team will support State and Park efforts, if there are any new fires. "We have resources ready to assist those requests," said Stephen Weaver, Operations Section Chief. The priorities are: 1) public and responder safety, 2) structure protection and 3) limiting the fire spread. Fire crews and TN Department of Transportation crews will be working on U.S. 441, locally known as The Spur, to keep it open for emergency traffic. The Tennessee Division of Forestry is integral in assisting our crews in forested areas outside of the park. Aircraft will be overhead today to assist with suppression efforts.
The Cobbly Nob Fire is burning to the east of the Chimney Tops 2 Fire. Active flames may be seen during the heat of the day, but minimal fire spread is expected.
Safety is still a large concern even though fire activity has diminished. "I encourage everyone to manage their risk by evaluating the known hazards and mitigating them," Dave Vitwar, Safety Officer, reminded firefighters during morning briefing. "We are working with weakened trees, downed power lines, steep terrain, aircraft, and traffic to name a few." The community should be aware that emergency vehicles and personnel may be working in areas open to the public.
Chimney Tops 2 Fire has burned 17,109 acres with a containment of 25%. The Cobbly Nob Fire has burned 750 acres with a 13% containment.
As of today, resources include 19 crews, 47 engines, 6 helicopters, 5 dozers, and 605 total personnel.
Moisture and clouds will increase through the day as the next low pressure system begins pushing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico back into the area. High temperatures will be in the upper 40s to low 50s with minimum relative humidity between 42% and 46%. Winds will be northeasterly at 5 to 8 mph.
The National Park is closed from the Gatlinburg Entrance to Smokemont near Oconaluftee (US 441, Newfound Gap) and Little River Road from Sugarlands Visitor Center to Metcalf Bottoms. The Gatlinburg ByPass is also closed.
The Spur (runs between Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg) is open only from Pigeon Forge to the Gatlinburg Welcome Center. There will be no access to Wiley Oakley, Beech Branch, or Westgate from the Spur. To access these areas, it is important to follow check point protocols because there is only one check point access at East Parkway (Hwy. 321) at Glades Road and the Post Office.
Wiley Oakley Road is still closed to the public because of critical utility work being done in the area.
The following roads and areas opened at noon today; however, the 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. time frame of limited access still remains in effect for previously permitted areas:
• East Parkway (east of the post office) opens at 10 a.m.
• Walker Trail
• Beech Branch
• Hwy. 321 east of the checkpoint is open to the public
People are reminded to bring valid forms of identification showing their name and address of their residence or business inside Gatlinburg. Officials will verify renters and lease Holders as needed.
Related stories:
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park trails closed due to wildfire
• Chimney Tops Trail remains closed due to spreading wildfire
• Two sections of Great Smoky Mountains National Park on fire -- health hazard, trails closed, roads closed
• National Park trails closed due to another wildfire
• National Park trails reopened after wildfire
• City of Gatlinburg calling for evacuations due to wildfires
• National Park issues updated report on Chimney Tops wildfire; 7 fatalities, 700 structures lost
• National Park and Gatlinburg fires spread throughout Sevier County causing multiple fatalities and great damage
• Chimney Tops 2 Fire update for December 3
• Specific donations needed for Sevier County fire survivors
• Local, state, and federal officials provide update on Sevier County Fires
• Sevier County, City of Gatlinburg, TEMA, and Great Smoky Mountain National Park issue wildfires update
• Updated wildfires report issued today by Sevier County, City of Gatlinburg, TEMA, and Great Smoky Mountain National Park
• Chimney Tops 2 Fire update for December 3
• Sevier County Fires result in 14 fatalities, 160 injuries, 1,785 structures destroyed or damaged
• Two Tennessee juveniles charged in connection with Sevier County wildfires
• Sevier County Fires result in 14 fatalities, 160 injuries, 1,785 structures destroyed or damaged
• Sevier County, City of Gatlinburg, and TEMA issue update on wildfires
• U.S. Army Reserve responds to Smoky Mountain Wildfire aftermath
• Chimney Tops 2 Fire nearly contained; National Park and Gatlinburg reopen; roads update
