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. It brought a tear to my eye to see everyone coming together as one, and it reassured me that everything was really going to be okay, Beau MacLellan said. I'm just really hoping everybody came off the mountain.. 3:03 PM EDT, Mon March 18, 2013. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Dozens of Sevier County residents faced uncertainty Wednesday night as a raging wildfire came through the area. Forestry officials announced early Thursday morning that responders would be holding a press conference around 10 a.m. That event will be streamed live here and on the WVLT Facebook page. That meant there wasnt any to spare for extra lodging. The raw audio details harrowing escapes and the desperate pleas for help made by wildfire survivors when the flames approached homes and businesses. 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. About half an inch of rainfall is expected early Thursday morning. Highway 321, Wears Valley Road, was closed to traffic from Townsend to Pigeon Forge due to the fire. The Park closed some roads on Wednesday due to the prediction, they said, for sustained winds between 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 90 mph. Waters did not have an update on the civilians condition. More: https://bit.ly/38btpE5. 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. Kaitlin Wright tweeted, Devastating video of the wildfire ongoing near the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area. The960-acre Thomas Divide Complex Fire, which broke out Saturday in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, was reported to be 60 percent contained as of Tuesday. Dozens of Sevier County residents faced uncertainty Wednesday night as a raging wildfire came through the area. An evacuation was ordered for anyone within two miles from Parkside Resort in Pigeon Forge due to a fast-moving brush fire. We know they are anxious, we are trying to get everything under control as quick as they can.. Crews spent Thursday through Saturday working to establish a containment area lower down the mountain. Twin brothers Beau and Zackary MacLellan lost their home and their jobs to the fire. Pigeon Forge During this time, Constance observed flames coming from a house across the street. Country superstar and East Tennessee native Dolly Parton created the My People Fund to help victims of the wildfires. Waters also said TBI and Sevier County Sheriffs Office investigators are looking into what caused the fire. Its made a difference in lives saved, its made a difference in property saved, he said. Gatlinburg Fire 2016: How It Happened & the Aftermath It makes you proud to be a part of this community, thank you from the bottom of my heart, Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Tony Watson said. Copyright 2022 WVLT. #WearsValleyFire.. For the brothers, the My People Fund helped them get back on their feet. Despite these challenges, we sent police fire and mass transit to evacuate citizens and visitors, said Miller. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - An evacuation was ordered for If they catch fire,Tennessee Division of Forestry spokesperson Brook Smith said, the rain can't do much to stop it. BREAKING: A mandatory evacuation was issued for the Smoky Ridge Way area off of Wears Valley Road due to increased fire conditions. Sevier County officials give the latest information in the fight against the Hatcher Mountain Fire. Severe weather poses statewide threat of strong straight-line winds, severe thunderstorms, and tornadic activity. Officials originally predicted the affected acreage was 3,700 but they updated it to 2,675 burned acres, according to Assistant Sevier County Mayor for Governmental Affairs Perrin Anderson. 2. 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. FOX19 ET Thursday fire officials said the Hatcher Mountain/Indigo Lane fire was 3,700 acres and approximately 100 structures had been affected the same numbers distributed in the 10 a.m. briefing. Stay vigilant. This means the fire is more unaccusable. 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. Survivors of the wildfires sued the National Parks Service regarding their response to the fires. The blaze prompted evacuations and closings. WVLT News received two videos of firefighters battling the Hatcher Mountain Fire Friday afternoon. -Pass Departmental NFPA 1582 Complaint Physical Exam. 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. Flames destroyed nearly 2,500 homes and left an estimated $2 billion in damages. appreciated. Several fire trucks took severe fire damage near Wears Valley. The cause of the structure and brush fire were not known as of Thursday night, according to deputies. Officials said they plan on beginning assessments for damaged areas following the fire, and asked that people do not call 911 for damage reports. Pigeon Forge, in eastern Tennessee, is best known for singer Dolly Partons theme park, Dollywood, which was not affected by the fire. Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Firefighting continues, the park reported, adding conditions throughout the park continue to be dry with an enhanced risk for wildfires. Follow here for live updates on what officials are calling the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire. Wildfire prompts evacuations southwest of Pigeon Forge, TN Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters opened the conference by confirming that there had been no fatalities as of Friday. Officials later said that they believed the structure fire was later a separate fire, not related to the Pine Mountain Fire. Two helicopters moved overhead to dumpwater near several burning homes on the hillsideafter high winds and dry conditions sparked a brush fire and promptedan evacuation order for thearea. In response, weather experts said that combined with the dry vegetation and the strong winds, they issued a red flag warning. #tnwx #wildfire Waters also said that two firefighters suffered minor injures and were treated at the scene. There is no cost, and in case you change your mind each email has an unsubscribe button. A new fire started Wednesday in Sevier County, Tennessee approximately four miles southwest of Pigeon Forge and six miles northwest of Gatlinburg. Lessons learned from 2016 Gatlinburg wildfire likely saved lives, Smokies fire comes at 'one of the worst times' for business owners, In light of Smokies fire in Wears Valley, track wildfires in Tennessee, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. National Guard crews from Chattanooga were called in, and three Chinook Mandatory evacuation orders in the county, which includes Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, will remain in place, Waters said. fire Five firefighting vehicles have been damaged. Firefighting efforts fully contained thefire by April 5. The crew landed the helicopter in a soccer field near Line Springs Road, officials said. Updated 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. Red Cross officials confirmed the Pigeon Forge Community Center shelter will close at 2 p.m. Sunday. Wind-fueled wildfires swept across Sevier County in 2016 claiming lives, homes and livelihoods forever changing the landscape of Gatlinburg and the Smokies. Posted: Mar 2, 2023 / 06:41 AM EST. 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. "I'm very grateful to them for honoring the flag and honoring me as well.". Mayor Waters said he found that more people took the evacuation warnings seriously than in 2016, which helped responders fight the fire and keep people out of danger. WebI would describe this as flooding in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Tennessee, but certainly heavy rain rising the water levels throughout. Their three sons Paul, Shawn, and Phillip were sent to the burn unit at Vanderbilt Medical Center. We hope that everyone has a good spring break, officials said. The blaze is in the Wears Valley community of Sevier County six miles northwest of Gatlinburg. The fire spanned 30 to 40 acres. What you need to know as crews continue to fight a wildfire in Sevier Co. More: https://bit.ly/3IQcELz. Responders also spoke on coordination during the fight, saying they paired out-of-town responders with local ones that could provide directions when needed. The Pigeon Forge Community Center at 170 Community Center Drive is available for individuals displaced by the fire. National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, Knoxville utilities crews work to restore power after intense storms, Lisa Edwards family retains civil rights attorney, Band protests TN drag bill by wearing dresses, Tennessee GOP lawmaker apologizes over hanging comment, New TN aquarium exhibit showcases Appalachian aquatic life. Tony Ogle, a spokesperson for Sevier County Schools, said that Wearwood Elementary School evacuated its students to the Pigeon Forge Community Center due to the wildfires. More evacuation orders followed, including one for the Black Bear Resort area and the great Waldens Creek and Wears Valley area. Id just like to say I appreciate the outpouring of support, said the Sevier County Fire Administrator David Puckett. ET Thursday. We are receiving many donation offers and are working on locations where donations can be dropped. https://bit.ly/3u1KXel. Residents can evacuate to the Pigeon Forge Community Center if needed. The Countys Emergency Management department said it is in the Hatcher Mountain Road and Indigo Lane area of the Wears Valley Community. An internal investigation by then U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke found that the National Park Service was unprepared but not negligent. When asked about what the fight has been like on the scene, Mayor Waters said he appreciated the professionalism and organization of responders from the beginning, 11 a.m. Wednesday. Brush fire burns across 40 acres in Pigeon Forge - WLWT This comes after fire crews were preparing for the threat of wildfires due to a Red Flag Warning. Firefighters escape Sevier Co. flames propelled by high winds, Firefighters save cabins in Sevier County as flames creep close. 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. -Maintenance of a current certification in CPR and First Aid. Less than 1/10 inch of rain fell at that station and another at Pigeon Forge. Due to low humidity and high bursts of wind, a red flag warning was established. The chopper dropping water had to be grounded. Waters said 11,000 homes had been evacuated throughout the day. Two more squads of two helicopters were scheduled to leave the base at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Haas said. One video shows firefighters escaping as flames jump at them, propelled by high winds. The night of Nov. 28, 2016, they werent aware of the chaos surrounding them until they received a knock on the door. He told her to contact 911. It was 30% contained as of Thursday afternoon, officials said. MSN If you are in the Wears Valley or Walden's Creek areas please evacuate immediately. The wildfires touched over 1,000 acres. The National Weather Service warned that the day was shaping up to bevery active, with a prolonged period of high winds coincidingwith dry vegetation to produce elevated fire danger levels. Roads continue to remain closed and he suggested using Little Cove Road to access Wears Valley Road. Hudson said asschools closed due to the evacuations, children were bused to the evacuation center so parents could pick them up. 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. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Dozens of Sevier County residents All rights reserved. The area is home to rental cabins with some permanent residences. Updated: Mar 2, 2023 / 09:10 AM EST. Greer said Park Fire Management Officer Greg Salansky did not warn Gatlinburg officials of the threat of the fire until Nov. 28, five days after the fire had started. The spot weather forecast from the National Weather Service Thursday morning predicts mostly sunny skies with a slight chance of scattered sprinkles late in the morning, minimum RH of 45 percent, and southwest winds 9 to 14 mph with gusts to About 11,000 homes have been evacuated since the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire began Wednesday, the mayor said. WVLT News spoke with the Sevier County Assistant for Governmental Affairs Perrin Anderson confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the Hatcher Mountain Wildfire was 100% contained. The Mountain Tough website was restarted following the fires, which is where those wanted to donate can find more information. Appears the dozer operator info may be false; Fire now at 3000 acres. We were trying to stay here because the alert said it was a shelter, but when we got here they were saying no.. 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. An evacuation was ordered for downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and 2023 www.knoxnews.com. A trial date is set for July 12, 2022, at 9 a.m. at the U.S. Wears Valley Road and Waldens Creek Road reopened according to officials with the Sevier County Emergency Management Agency. The Sevier County Fairgrounds will open Friday to receive donations as well. Its UTV was been requested, officials posted. "Road closures may occur earlier than expected and additional roads may close as conditions warrant. Firefighters in Sevier County said they were on level 4 alert of 5 for the threat of wildfires on Tuesday. 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. Fire The Kings Academy is open as a shelter for those evacuating due to local fires. Officials later said that they believed the structure fire was later a separate fire, not related to the Pine Mountain Fire. Tennessee wildfires near Pigeon Forge cost $66 million While the crew had been unable to save that particularcabin, they said,they took down the flag when they retreated. Due to Woman staying in Pigeon Forge witnesses cabin fire next to Another fire was reported in Anderson County at 3:35 p.m., with mutual aid requested for a brush fire. The Tennessee Military Department told WVLT News that the national guard was on standby to fly two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters over the fire if needed. -Maintenance of a current certification in CPR and First Aid. Sevier County dispatch told WVLT News that there was a two-mile evacuation from Parkside Resort near Little Cove Road and Pine Mountain Road. Over 200 people and 70 agencies have been involved in the firefighting efforts, according to Waters. Volunteers from around the world calmed the fears of victims as they donated millions of dollars to the relief fund. Multiple agencies responded to a large brush fire Wednesday morning that was threatening homes in the area. The shelter was open to families and pets. Our response was challenged due to loss of internet and cell service. They were hoping to reunite it with its owner. "It could be worse," Duran told Knox News of his predicament. in Pigeon Forge Officials had warned early Wednesday that warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds increased the risk of fire danger. The wind was expected to make travel hazardous due to trees being blown down. 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. Live: Officials give an update on Wears Valley wildfire. At 9 a.m. Thursday the wind at Cove Mountain was 21 mph from the south-southwest with 81 percent RH. He wrote, Looking West just now from Gatlinburg Golf course (in Pigeon Forge). Officials have not determined a cause, and evacuations are still in place. Officials estimated that about 11,000 homes were evacuated over the course of the day. Multiple agencies responded to a large brush fire in the Wears Valley community Wednesday morning, according to the Sevier County Fire Department and the Tennessee Division of Forestry. https://bit.ly/3tV1vVs. Hatcher Mountain Wildfire 100% contained, number of structures lowered due to duplicate counts. "My heart goes out to those (residents) who were displaced.". There was no update on his condition this morning. Wildfire near Tennessee resort town almost out | CNN CNNs Janet DiGiacomo contributed to this report. Everybody took it very seriously because of what happened, he said. Did you encounter any technical issues? WVLT News spoke to Assistant Sevier County Mayor for Governmental Affairs Perrin Anderson, who confirmed that the Hatcher Mountain Wildfire is now 80% contained. Sevier County officials updated the evacuation map, linked above, to highlight the most up-to-date evacuation orders Friday afternoon. Jon Summers, 61, and Janet Summers, 61, were from Memphis, Tennessee. In the meantime, at least three shelters were opened to accommodate those potentially displaced by the fires, according to county officials. Thursday afternoon the humidity will be in the 50s with 10 to 14 mph southwest winds gusting to 29 mph. Tennessee National Guard officials told WVLT News that they have provided six UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters to support responders in Sevier County Thursday morning. Because of this, the addition of overnight rain was a necessity on Wednesday evening. About 20 fire departments had been fighting the fire, which had burned 260 acres, authorities said. Duran was wearing a veteran's hat and mentioned his military service, he said. What we do is we evaluate active fires, hotspots, Miller said. The Sevier County Emergency Management Agency said fire officials advised that they now have 45% of the fire contained. Forestry officials said they expect firefighters to be able to increase containment since weather forecasts are not calling for the high wind conditions the area saw Wednesday. Residents told WBIR they noticed smoke that appeared to resemble a chimney fire in the area. @myTDOT crews in the area are still assisting with fueling first response vehicles and where needed with traffic control. Fortunately the weather is not what it was the other night, he said, referring to Wednesdays wind gusts. However, due to the extreme nature of the wind continued to be a problem for the area. Updated: Jan 31, 2023 / 06:23 PM EST. A Warner Bros. All in all, Mayor Waters said, 70 local and federal agencies consisting of around 200 people responded to the fire. 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. 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires - Wikipedia 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. Very little current information is available about this fire. Responders said the concern is a lot lower today than yesterday, saying the weather is better for fighting it. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - An evacuation was ordered for A fire at Pigeon Forge has been contained. What Caused the Gatlinburg Fire of 2016? Heres the SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. The Pigeon Forge Fire Department fought an apartment complex fire that affected 150 rooms Tuesday night, according to the department. A fire at Pigeon Forge has been contained. Visiting the Smokies? What to know about the wildfire At this time, Wears Valley Road is still closed. As we previously reported, NONE of our cabins were damaged in the blaze. 2023 Cable News Network. fire According to Sevier County Emergency Management, after visiting the website with the above evacuation map, users cantype their address into the window to see if they are within the evacuation area. Officials identified Robert A. Hejny, 63, who was found at Travelers Motel in Gatlinburg. The fire is known as the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire according to the Emergency Management department. "We're currently putting in lines and doing structure protection," Smith said. fire Pigeon Forge Miller confirmed that his crews were in the mop up phase, primarily checking hotspots that could restart parts of the fire. )Please call 911 for EMERGENCIES ONLY. The blaze is being pushed by strong winds. County Mayor Larry Waters opened the conference by confirming that there had been no fatalities or missing persons overnight. 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. Este hotel fica a 8,7 km de Dollywood e a 1 km de Island at Pigeon Forge.Sinta-se em casa em um de nossos 112 quartos com geladeiras e micro-ondas. Residents can use it to search their address to find out if they need to evacuate. The high wind gusts up to 87 mph, in addition to creating a firestorm, In addition to local fire departments, resources have responded from 70 agencies in Middle and Upper East Tennessee as well as the Tennessee National Guard and the U.S. Forest Service. Click here. Please pray for those personnel and ALL the personnel working hard to extinguish this wildfire, officials said. Dolly Parton, who is from Sevier County, wrote on Twitter she was keeping up with the fires. Officials reported that evacuation alerts went out on cell phones, but some residents said they never received the alerts. 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.