Chimney Tops trailhead. Image by Jeaneane Payne.

GATLINBURG — 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 pm. 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 28, exceptional drought conditions and extreme winds caused the wildfire to grow rapidly, causing many new wildfire starts from embers carried miles away and downed power lines in and adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Cobbly Nob Fire was one of these fires. On Wednesday, December 7 the Sevier County District Attorney announced that two juveniles from Tennessee, who are not residents of Sevier County, were arrested in connection with the fire. Although these arrests have been made, the investigation into this incident is still ongoing.

Chimney Tops 2 Fire again did not increase in size yesterday and is mapped at 17,006 acres. The Cobbly Nob Fire acreage decreased in size due to more accurate mapping and is currently at 756 acres. Containment has increased to 91% on Chimney Tops 2 and to 92% on Cobbly Nob. Some heat still exists well within the fire perimeter and smoke may be visible from these areas from time to time. Firefighters will continue to patrol and mop up any hot spots that may be a threat to the containment lines or structures.

Today the South Atlantic Incident Management Team arrived and began shadowing the Southern Area Red Team. The South Atlantic Team will assume command of the incident at 8:00 am tomorrow, Saturday December 10.

The City of Gatlinburg reopened for business to the general public today. While, all major roadways are open, some city roads may be closed to accommodate utility work.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park opened several roads to the public today:
• US 441
• Newfound Gap Road, from the Gatlinburg Entrance to Cherokee, NC
• Little River Road
• The Spur between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
• Gatlinburg Bypass

Cherokee Orchard Road will remain closed as will trails within the fire-affected area.

Even though the fire is not completely contained, the areas opening to the public have been deemed safe.

Because containment of both fires is now more than 90%, many firefighters have been released from the incident. However, the remaining firefighters will continue to monitor and patrol the fires and provide structure protection until the fires are 100% contained.

While there is little or no active fire evident in impacted communities, residents should use caution when entering those areas. Property owners should be prepared for hazards that may be present on the property which include, but are not limited to: hazards trees, footing, parking, collapse of structural material, and utilities. Crews will continue to mop up, patrol, and provide for human safety.

Park visitors are asked to limit their access in areas of the park that remain open and abide by all trail closures. Motorists are required to remain in their vehicles when passing through burned areas and should not enter any burned areas by foot. Firefighters are still conducting suppression activities to ensure the fire is fully contained. Please travel carefully along the roadways and allow these crews safe work space.

Public Information Officers will be on site at Sugarlands Visitor Center and at overlooks along Newfound Gap Road to answer questions regarding the fire.

According to Sevier County Officials, there are 14 confirmed fatalities, over 176 injuries, and a total of 2,460 damaged or destroyed structures.

Chimney Tops 2 - Start Date: Nov 23; Size: 17,006 acres; Containment: 91% Cobbly Nob - Start Date: Nov 28; Size: 756; Containment: 92%

Incident Resources: 6 hand crews, 22 engines, 1 helicopter, 1 water tender, 329 total personnel

Weather: High pressure along with the coldest air of the season will remain over the fire area through Saturday. Temperatures are expected to be at or below freezing through midday Saturday, with temperatures again falling below freezing Saturday night. High temperatures will be in the low 30s today, with low temperatures tonight in the upper teens to low 20s. Winds will be northwesterly at 6-9 mph. Little fire activity is expected under these weather conditions. Red Team fire behavior analyst Gary Jarvis said, "The cold will lock the moisture in" and hamper fire activity.

Cherokee Orchard Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains closed.
Closed Trails:
• Chimney Tops Trail
• Road Prong Trail
• Sugarland Mountain Trail from Mt Collins Shelter to Little River Road
• Huskey Gap Trail
• Rough Creek Trail
• Old Sugarlands Trail
• Twin Creeks Trail
• Baskins Creek Trail
• Bull Head Trail
• Rainbow Falls Trail
• Trillium Gap Trail
• Grapeyard Ridge Trail from Campsite 32 to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
• Gatlinburg Trail
• Cove Mountain Trail
• Sugarland Valley Nature Trail
• Noah Bud Ogle Nature Trail
• Cove Hardwood Nature Trail
• Sugarlands Horse Concession trails
• Quiet walkways along Newfound Gap Road

All park campsites that had been closed on Monday, November 28 will be open, with the exception of Campsite 21 on Huskey Gap Trail.Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, Alum Cave Trail, Brushy Mountain Trail, Trillium Gap Trail, Baskins Creek Trail, Porters Creek Trail, Grapeyard Ridge TrailClosed Campsites: 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32Closed Shelters: Mt. Le Conte shelterNote: Mt Collins Shelter, which is along the Appalachian Trail and is outside the area of concern for the fire, has been re-opened.

Park officials asks that people be vigilant while driving; emergency vehicles and personnel may be working in areas open to the public.

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• Two sections of Great Smoky Mountains National Park on fire -- health hazard, trails closed, roads closed
• National Park trails closed due to another wildfire
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• 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
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• 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
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