The needle suffered extensive damage and was closed for three years. Everyone should also know that this area is characterized by mountain laurel, in some areas nearby its so thick the only way through is on top it or if your lucky under on your belly. Chile is nearly a third world nation. Unfortunately, the good ole boy network, via the Sevier County DA, is trying to keep things in secret by cutting off all information after the the two teens were arrested, claiming such information could jeopordize the case against the teens. I am hopeful that there are enough folks taking note of and keeping a watchful eye out for this situation, so that lies and cover-up will be vetted. These words are so terribly inadequate but I feel even worse not saying anything at all. I doubt it as the experience there is of fast moving potentially devastating fires. Those probably did not finish burning for several days. You are among several Gatlinburg residents that posted local officials told them that everything was OK as late as 5:30 and there was no evacuation notice. Anytime that one side seeks to destroy the other as opposed to actually raise the issues, I would raise a red flag and wonder what the distraction is really trying to hide! We stopped long enough to make sure they saw the fire coming and proceeded on down the mountain. There are a lot of excellent experienced fire management staff working for the Park Service. As for Caf 420, they have plans to rebuild, and their employees will keep their jobs. What the kids did was extremely wrong and they should and will be punished for it but any Philadelphia lawyer work his retainer fee well get these kids off with no more than arson and reckless endangerment. The fire on Sunday caused extensive damage to a block of . As we drove in the smoke was no better than it had been when we left cabin, it was worse. The wildfires caused millions of dollars in damage. In my eyes, TEMA should have taken control of the situation and ordered evacuations before sunset. From just across the Smokies in Bryson City, N.C./Swain county. The Gatlinburg ByPass is also closed. Until you sit in my seat after 20 years of fire service, making decisions on where to send your firefighters based on their experience levels, you will then realize decisions have trade offs and sometimes Mother Nature over rules you. By being so quick to lynch people we have created a fear of decision-making and a paralysis of critical thinking. Tom, I want to express to you how sorry I am to hear about the loss of your cabin, what you went through escaping the fire, what you have gone through since the fire and what you are facing. NPS manager Cassius Cash said the NPS didnt have the authority to order an evacuation (how about recommending a pre-evacuation status so the public was ready to evacuate if needed?). There is much opportunity in the Eastern Appalachians to better prepare citizens, towns , leaders and firefighters; To create more fire aware and safe communities. Five days is a generous amount of time to request and receive firefighters. Thank all of you. View Google or Bing aerial photos of the past year hundreds of dead trees with the tale-tell circular pattern of limbs stands out against the foliage. Excellent points, Jody. I said at the time thatvwas crazy, evac. They couldnt get out a cell mssg. Whether a tornado, hurricane or natural disaster, it weighs on your psyche. I have an Gatlinburg address but the county services my street. Period. But the last one, issued at 7 a.m. EST on Sunday by Eric Holweg, did predict strong winds. Work for the NPS and see their Fire-is-not-our-mission outlook on fires and know that they will not be a aggressive enough, will not have seasoned fire staff, will not allow their staffs go out on fires and get the necessary experience. But all sitting back and doing nothing to help. I hope that the firefighters, leaders, and authorities in this area make sure to perform in depth After Action Reviews and make changes to avoid these issues in the future. Kind of like closing the barn door after the cow gets out, dont you think? I hold you in my thoughts and prayers for healing and recovery there are others who have posted about their losses on this blog, Kelly for one, and I did not give myself peymidfipn to say these words to them at the time .. The man at the Forestry base told him the winds were predicted to keep getting stronger and to be careful of falling limbs. Thats perfect Johnny. The learning system of resolution. It seems to me that the extreme wind was as unprecedented as the drought and the low stream levels. It is good to question everything, all is not as it appears. View all posts by Bill Gabbert. Flies north of fire (s) in TN. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the GFD, Gatlinburg Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) - Four downtown Gatlinburg businesses are picking up the pieces after a fire Sunday morning destroyed their building. A couple of weeks after hearing no hardcore news from Knox News, I wrote the editor asking if the News was still doing hardcore investigation of the fire. The city and the county has always been about one thing. I told him there wasnt when I got there at 5 oclock but I could not even see driveways on the way up. Chief Kurtz was right on target to compare South Canyon, Yarnell, and now Chimney Top 2. I get free speech, but if I yelled fire in a crowded theater when there was none and it contributed to death and injury I too would be held liable; my speech would not be protected! I agree that there needs to to be a change of attitude about climate change, wildfire potential in the east, an adaptation to changing conditions and a throwing out of the holding on to the been there done that, know all there is to know, seen this before thinking and the holding onto a world that used to be. This would help the owners defray some costs so they can rebuild. Fire erupts on both side of Highway 441 between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. and last updated 4:48 AM, Apr 05, 2022. Asked if I knew if there were any other people down in that area. When the simple laws of fire physics and chemistry correctly combine, fuel, heat, oxygen, and in the wildland fire arena available fuels, topography and ideal fire weather conditions mix in perfect alignment plus given adequate TIME, a-bine unattended campfire, an arsonists match, or a slowly backing down-slope surface fire in leaf litter during a record setting drought will ultimately result in a disastrous conflagration. Under ideal conditions they can temporarily slow the spread, which may be effective if firefighters on the ground can move in quickly totake advantage of the short termchange in fire behavior by constructing firelines, stopping the spread at that location. He wanted us to pack and leave. Thanks for your rundown on the fire Bill. This isnt finger pointing its the simple facts of the entire situation like it or not! This is what happened with a handful of officials/personnel regarding the fatal 2000 black bear mauling of a woman hiker in Elkmont. Hasnt anyone noticed that friends groups are paying for major park infrastructure and various other projects that our Congress has failed to provide for? A lot of personnel put forth heroic efforts to save lives and we should all be grateful for that. The leadership tetrahedron if you will, the area where all the parts come together based on the past, the current, the potential and the possible. Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. With the wildfires scattered across western N.C., we are lucky that, given parallel conditions of the wildfires that swept down the Chimney Tops into Gatlinburg ..i.e. Just the mechanics of this devastating wildfire without any editorial comments. So whether the defendants started the 14th fire or not, a close examination of this Facebook press release indicates the fire apparently started on the 13th; and yet a social media photo post claims the 12th clearly showing a lack of response once again in fire suppression by the NPS. I can only say that I had no peace at all whatsoever after the first word I heard of the terrible fire there .. May God look out for all of you in your time of loss. Neitherwas enough rain to halt the drought, of course, nor was it enough to have an extended effect on the the Chimney Tops 2 Fire. I can only hope that the actions are being undertaken somewhere and by the decision-makers and leaders to think and act differently. Many citizens whom I spoke with had never heard the terms red flag alert and in absence of the term, were not aware of the situations that would lead to such a designation or where to turn to find information on wildfires. GATLINBURG, Tenn. UPDATE (Monday): Firefighters discovered a body in the rubble of these fires, our ABC affiliate WATE reported Monday morning. This should be placed firmly on the shoulders of the Park Service, Cassius Cash, Superintendent and the City and County. I am trying to learn everything I can and hope to find an avenue to serve in this cause in some small way as most of you have and are serving in major, ways, risking your lives. This was done to simply to avoid tort liability claims even though a claim was filed; and to avoid accountability. I doubt that anyone other than the arsonists intended to cause harm in any way here, and knowing the ages of those who lit the fire, I doubt that they themselves had any idea of the potential outcome. Both east and west forks of the Pigeon River. California couple whose gender-reveal party sparked a wildfire charged This is a developing story. Fire Tears Through Downtown Gatlinburg (TN) Mall; One Person Killed There should be accountability for those in charge, in every arena of governance and responsibility and at every level. I appreciate that fine quality of writing that expresses your thoughts in an easy to read yet structured style that makes sense. I spent two weeks in the area after the fire to inspect my property and ascertain where my wife and I would go from there. It is likely that spotting did keep the ground fire spreading into the areas where the homes were, and certainly on the southern edge of town it was the primary ignition source, but I am still skeptical that the homes to the north of town were ignited that way. Stupidity is as stupidity does. Out of all the issues evolving around negligence and what could have been done, etc. When we got to end of Beech Branch Rd., and turned onto Spur, there was no traffic but the winds were getting worse. He replied to me on Christmas Eve no less, that they were double checking all the facts to make sure all of their information was as accurate as possible and would keep digging. There are three broad categories of conditions that affect the way a wildfire burns: weather, fuels (vegetation), and topography. Gatlinburg Fire 2016: The Start. The GRSM person that requested the Spot wrote: Concerned about ridgetop winds with the coming front. Do we need to learn from it. Youve certainly added much food for thought. Birmingham City close training ground after fire causes damage You bet you were. 1,000 feet of rise / 0.2 mile (1,056 feet) is a slope of 94.7%, not 77%.