who caused the gatlinburg fires?

Love your neighbors, yes. I am astounded at the amount of information, expertise, warning, and awareness of imminent danger was present and available in this situation. I am like you in that I will never be able to get a good nights sleep on the mountain again as Im all be consistently looking out the window. Had they viewed the Chimney Tops 2 fire as though it was in the forested southwest Im sure they would have issued pre-evacuation notices up to 48 hours prior to the wind events of that Monday. That afternoon a Chinook Type 1 helicopter (Type 1s are the largest helicopters used on wildfires) began dropping water on the fire, refilling at Fontana Lake 13 miles to the southwest, according to a source we talked to who didnt want their name disclosed because they were not authorized to speak on the subject. Not clouding the issues with the intent to take down a person. As for Caf 420, they have plans to rebuild, and their employees will keep their jobs. I repeat The NPS and the Fire Chief of Gatlinburg should have started fighting the Chimney Tops 2 fire aggressively the day it was discovered. Just a quick comment per above posts. 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. with a notice that evacuation is imminent would have been prudent. It seems to me that the extreme wind was as unprecedented as the drought and the low stream levels. Almost every creek drainage in GSMNP has stands of dead hemlocks (though some areas near roads had some hemlocks treated regularly to prevent adelgid infestation). Also I just came across a facebook page showing two views of the same interchange in Gatlinburg at 10:28 and 10:52. Remembering the Gatlinburg Wildfires five years later - WYMT 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. One week before the fire, a backcountry ranger confronted people that had built a fire at Alum Cave Bluffs. As the crow flies, thats not far from Gatlinburg and Ive heard of and read about how quickly wildfires spread and how far reaching they can be under dry conditions from drought. There is no cost, and in case you change your mind each email has an unsubscribe button. There are thousands and thousands of people who feel as I do about your loss and the losses of so many people in Gatlinburg and the surrounding area. As a citizen with a firefighting background, I knew days ahead of time that high mountain winds were expected in the Eastern TN/NC Mountains, coupling that with the extreme drought conditions and the knowledge of the massive amount of ground fuel available in the forest based on being in the forest regularly even just days prior, outside observing the conditions and the terrain. GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) - On Friday, Gatlinburg city officials released a report detailing the downtown fire on Oct. 9 that killed one person and injured another.. The Cove Mountain weather station is 8 miles northwest of the origin of the Chimney Tops 2 Fire, 5 miles west of downtown Gatlinburg, and 3 miles west of the last known western edge of the fire. Nearby businesses feel the same. The Gatlinburg fire chief put out a notice for additional help to come to Gatlinburg around 11:52 pm. Every business downtown was closed except for Bubba Gumps. What were the emergency managers of this county doing/thinking at this time? But when it's close to home, the sadness and concern of those affected is ten-fold in the worry department. I would like to express that there are sincere and dedicated folks working for the National Park Service. A spokesperson for the city said the Gatlinburg Fire Department was dispatched to the 700 block of Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg at 6:39 a.m. on October 9. (The fire was in eastern Tennessee near the North Carolina border.). In addition, officials confirmed that a firefighter was transported to the hospital with minor injuries from the fire but has since been released. How the Historic Gatlinburg Fires Happened; a Humble Start - GovTech Very well put Mari. I wonder why? I guess they must think when you have to go up there to handle this mess they caused that you dont need lodging, food or gas to get there. Especially our local emergency workers and the Park Service. Lots of fires getting controlled, crews pulling off and the new fuel falling and all back ablaze. I felt it urgent to get out of the woods. Until theyre able to return, Neddo hates to see the Gatlinburg Parkway location gone, but he hopes the next place will be even better. What the fire victims need is non-biased experts to analyze the BACKFIRES that the NPS claims they ignited to protect NPS structures. The fire ballooned to more than 17,000 acres when winds stronger than 80 miles per hour carried the fire down the mountain and through Gatlinburg and parts of Pigeon Forge Nov. 28. Businesses affected by the fire include Puckers Sports Bar, China Bazaar, Cafe 420, and Gifts of Gatlinburg, according to WVLT News crews on the scene. In late 2016, wildfires . However, when adequate risk analysis, proactive contingency planning and decision making, real time fire behavior simulations predicting possible disastrous outcomes, humans may have a much better chance of containing, or controlling, or herding, or managing or all-out suppressing an unwanted or unplanned ignition. In my opinion there is more blood on the hands of the NPS, Gatlinburg city and fire officials and Sevier County politicians than those kids. In all the Disasters I have worked in Texas, FEMA reimburse City or County for debris pickup. We had hiked to the Chimneys for the view many times it was easy to see the wind being funneled down from there to Gatlinburg just like an invisible whitewater river. The forecast issued Sunday included this text in the Discussion section: High pressure will hang on for Sunday with sunny skies and above normal temperatures. The fire was reported to be near the Twin Creeks Picnic Center at 1130. 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. First rule of any structure fire or wildfire. I went back a few years ago and it was completely different. Its community and people that have jobs. This truck was also filled with firefighters. Flies north of fire (s) in TN. And I dont write about that many of them. This area was in the process of being logged prior to the wildfire, (supposedly started by a logging train) of 1925. Shelter locations could have been announced, especially encouraging people to take action during the daylight hours that day so that escaping in total darkness during an inferno of fire or not having the means to do so would not be forced on people, and they could make arrangements for their own safety. Im not saying GRSM made the right or wrong decision, there is just a lot more involved then saying they didnt suppress it promptly. Tennessee Wildfire Cause: Gatlinburg Fires May Have Been Man-Made Those with information are urged to contact the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017 or the GFD at 865-436-5112. Lets see what reviews done by people with expertise in wildland fire management come up with. The report said the fire was an accident and caused around $7 million in damages. Those people have their head in a hole, a burned out tree stump hole the very definition of ignore-ance. from Gburg. Bob called. We have a mountaintop cabin about 50 miles south of this area. We could get blocked in by both. Yes my house burnt along with 520 others in North Chalet Village, village no longer but all foundations. 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. http://henryspoetry.blogspot.com/2016/12/cabin-on-creek-and-chimneys-top-2-fire.html, http://henryspoetry.blogspot.com/2016/12/great-chimney-tops-2-fire-science.html. The smoke steadily became thicker as the days passed and friends were showing pictures of the Chimneys on fire. Many times this tactic takes commitment of over a week. According to Public Information Officer Seth Butler, the Gatlinburg Fire Department and the Pigeon Forge Fire Department were dispatched to downtown Gatlinburg at 6:39 a.m. on Sunday, Oct.. We may never really know the truth about this situation just as with so many other current and prominent situations. Basically telling the press, the public and the injured families to go to hell. People need their jobs, and we all act based on the limited information, training and experience that we have and hopefully rely on others who have diverse backgrounds to supplement where we may lack. Neddo said total shock is the only way to describe how he feels. There was two contributing factors to this disaster. There is a marked increase in smoke and decreasing visibility due to the smoke. I am sure the Alum Cave trail up Mt. I said at the time thatvwas crazy, evac. If the Park Service had done there job in the first place and City and County leaders would have stepped in and done something this could and would have been prevented. According to the great gag order, government officials should not be commenting???? On Monday morning we awoke to the smell of smoke. The park needs to share accountability in this situation, and all of us who have formerly worked in fire realize this. They need to be accountable for their inaction, and action. It is very hard and slow to navigate through laurel stands and the thick Tennesee Barbed Wire Briar patches. Waited a month to report this event and turn over the pictures they took to forestry officials! 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. This was part of our retirement plan and now all we have left is a lot, we lost a lot of money that we will never be able to recuperate. I only lost my house, but someone has to speak the truth about what did/didnt happen that day/night. The excellent Park folks seemed to just monitor it, and it resolved itself. I told Stanton I wanted him to drive our truck up to top of mountain behind house to get it away from house and out from under so many trees. It also led officials to. Deciding to keep air resources in reserve for initial attack on new starts rather than wash the fire off chimney tops was a good decision. This fire burned for almost a week, before it exploded into Gatlinburg. It is very hard and slow to navigate through laurel stands and the thick Tennesee Barbed Wire Briar patches. Gatlinburg fatal fire investigation continues as crews demolish building Yes, some the ridges connecting to chimney-tops had dead hemlock stands. I have a photo I took from the Walmart parking lot looking south that shows how smoky it was in Pigeon Forge. What is these adults had taken immediate action to correct and intervene in this unsafe behavior by children. Regarding the Chimney Tops Fire of Nov 14th, 2016, https://www.facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainsNPS/posts/1236286613095333. I have a lot of pictures to share via my blog. When I came out of dr. office, which is located on Middle Creek close to hospital, the atmosphere was eerie. Can fire experts examine burned areas and decipher the path of natural wildfire from managed ignited fires? 10/10/22, 1:56 p.m. The GSMNP officials were able dodge the negligence and management shortcomings of the 2000 fatal black bear attack in Elkmont as well as discrediting and slandering a former District Law Enforcement Ranger who was involved in the incident. November 27th, 35 acres. Ive noted the contrast between how the Incident Management Teams approached the fires compared to the NPS. Death toll from Tenn. wildfires rises to 14 - CBS News This fire as did others around this time had highly predictable potential for massive and rapid spread. It is important to look at many facets, evidence and root cause studies so that the issues can be resolved. It was shaking the car as we drove. The fire could have been accidental, or it may have been intentional. Money. Where was all the HELP TO PUT THIS FIRE OUT A WHEN IT STARTED???? Ash move in quickly after a fire, and through the yearly process of shedding their leaves, make it difficult for seeds from the Red Spruce/Fraser Fir/Hemlocks to make an effective seed-soil contact, thus when we lose one of these magnificent evergreen forests, it truly is a tragedy in more ways than one. Fire crews were dispatched to a structure fire around 6:30. From what I understand, the adelgid spreads from tree to tree via the ground, which is why young hemlocks with smooth bark are rarely infested with adelgid. That and your wish to pay 50% income tax and there will never be a fire again! But the last one, issued at 7 a.m. EST on Sunday by Eric Holweg, did predict strong winds. These words are so terribly inadequate but I feel even worse not saying anything at all. To successfully allow a fire to burn for a long period of time requires VERY skilled personnel and luck. The fire could have been stopped over the weekend if proper procedures had been followed. Not even 5 years ago over 60 homes burned in one night in Wears Valley when fire spread from house to house, in the fall, during a high wind. Yes a lot is somewhat predictable, just as this fire, but not every aspect is, there are too many variables in the real world. We drove carefully and made it out of woods into Pigeon Forge safely. After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire. Was the fire that inaccessible on foot? GRSM firefighters spotted the new fire as they returned from responding to a report of a vehicle fire. So we can learn by others successes and failures but we must also not hang our hats on them either, because the story is as individual and unique as there are an infinite number of variables. Jeanne: I do not disagree with your thought process regarding some of the broad challenges wildland fire mangers have faced in the past thirty some years. The winds that Monday afternoon had knocked power lines down and early reporting made mention of separate ignition points in the residential hillsides. Copyright 2022 WVLT. Millions of dollars will be spent recovering and mitigating the after effects of this human caused and exasperated wildfire. Maybe within the next year, well see some kind of progress come together, said Neddo. For the availability of resources our local volunteer departments are doing a good job, but things are changing and we need to get out of the boxes we are in, and start critical thinking and creatively to meet the challenges of the future because they are rapidly descending upon us whether we like it or not. These breaks downs undoubtedly show shortcomings by officials. Cafe 420 and Gifts of Gatlinburg were also destroyed. It is this same type of think tank and diversity we need in reaching a host of solutions to our complexity of problems both in this situation and in all others. You do not hang your child or throw them out for, with good intention making the wrong choices, you teach them and help them to understand the consequences. The immediate flash of ground clutter was followed by the much slower burning of the dead and down trees and stumps. Both east and west forks of the Pigeon River. The Tip Line is 888-653-0009. Bob headed our way. The big, dead hemlocks are light grey with a circular limb pattern as viewed from the air. Nothing happens in a vacuum. China Bazaar, Pucker's Sports Grill, Gifts of Gatlinburg, and Caf 420 were all deemed a complete loss. Sweeney, to be honest weve never experienced circumstances quite like this. I thanked her, hung up and told Stanton to go load Ladys kennel. I told him there wasnt when I got there at 5 oclock but I could not even see driveways on the way up. CNN A wildfire burning near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Sevier County, Tennessee, has grown to more than 3,700 acres and impacted more than 100 structures, County Mayor Larry. I remember a news A day or so later where that fire chief of the Gatlinburg stated that they knew on Sunday that it was predicted the fire would hit Gatlinburg proper by 11 AM on Tuesday morning. They strive to their utmost and have a true passion working in GSMNP. Something broke down here and at the risk of not being PC the important thing is that the issues are discovered and learning takes place followed by action. Prescribed burning is a critical ecosystem management tool across the nation, especially in the Southeast (https://goodfires.org/how) and when the term is used interchangeably with monitored wildfires it can lead to confusion. On-the-ground fire suppression activity took place Monday when firefighters took defensive action to protect structures at a nearby GRSM picnic area. Ive been told by others that they were waiting for the rain to move in based on the forecast and it didnt arrive when they expected so in the meantime they did nothing. Along with other Park issues like un-managed timber (very limited burns, mostly fields, not forested areas), we concluded the saying demolition by neglect. It just so happens that at this time hundreds of fires were subsequently being started all around the south! During fire suppression efforts, crews found one person dead inside the structure. Visibility was so low that other car lights could barely be seen from oncoming cars. However, firebe it a wildfire, structure fire, flammable liquid fire or a a bi-nine campfire does not care or worry about budget cuts, staffing issues, political agendas, experienced or inexperienced decision making or other human factors. Whatever happened to good old common sense decisions considering the drought, excessive fuels, and weather! To repeat what you have already said, people on the mountain especially Chalet Village north, no longer feel safe . The fire gutted the entire city block and closed a dozen businesses. The reason that is a point is IMT has experience far beyond any fire teams in east TN or GSMNP, especially with wind-driven wildfires. They just sat back and watched it burn. On Monday, December 5, the Incident Management Team (IMT) on the Chimney Tops 2 Fire that burned from Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) into the Gatlinburg area reported that it has . I would like to insert the word, accountability into this discussion. View all posts by Bill Gabbert. Period. Whether it be a resources, financial, training, bias, discriminatory, knowledge, failure to support, equipment or other systemic, human, data or other failures; we often seek to put the blame on any one or a few of the workers when the real root of the problems lies in systemic, resource or other human interaction issues and decisions made by others seemingly unconnected to the immediate event. Did the 14th fire discreetly burn in the duff amid rock cervices? Thats exactly what I plan on doing and recording the calls so that if they dont take action they an explain to the public why after getting all of these calls with people pleading for them to take action. When we got to end of Beech Branch Rd., and turned onto Spur, there was no traffic but the winds were getting worse. I hope to remedy that starting now! This rain took much of the heat out of the vegetation fire and slowed the spread, but smoke from the burning structures in the communities and smouldering logs in the Park continued to fill the air. On the night before I left for Branson, I had terrible nightmares of being caught in a forest fire in Branson. Apparently, when the second fire was started by the defendants on the 23rd, the NPS assumed they could handle the 23rd fire like they did the first fire of the 14th. They had their moment in history and did not rise to it. I was in my cabin the night of the fire and if I had spotted it a minute or so after I did I would not be alive to type this right now. 119K views 4 months ago GATLINBURG Many people get worried when they hear the words Gatlinburg and Fire in the same sentence. When we got to the bottom of the mountain, we ran into the Sevier County Electric crew where the road was blocked. Later it changed to a mandatory evacuation. People lost their lives and homes because no warnings!!! GALLATIN, Tenn. (WTVF) Wildfires have ravaged Sevier County six years after deadly fires destroyed parts of Gatlinburg. I viewed aerial photos of that area over the past 10 years (on USGS website). Im sorry but that initial fire management at the outset was atrocious. This year has been crazy, with so many fires happening in Autumn. Jeannines comments were spot on. January 4, 2017 at 5:26 pm Sandra, I agree. Asked if I knew if there were any other people down in that area. We must as you say accept that humans are emotional beings and that goes for those who lost and those who stand to perhaps lose their jobs and livelihood often for making the best decisions they could with what was available to them at the time. 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! When we reached our car at road level, we saw flames coming over the ridge directly south of our house. Hemlocks standout on aerial photos because the limbs grow in a spiral pattern around the tree. Some of the seemingly inexplicable burn patterns are due to the wind driven nature. My wife and I hiked to Alum Cave Bluffs Saturday, Nov. 26, while the fire was small up on the Chimneys. Still cant seem to get any answers if the BACKFIRES got out of control when the NPS ignited them contributing to the loss of life and structures in Gatlinburg??? I hope they end up being involved in the biggest lawsuit anyone has ever seen! One option could be helicopter fire repellers to repel into the fire and make an assessment of risk. What authority does NPS have outside GSMNP? Google and Bing maps give a pretty good idea of the expanse of dead hemlocks. I thought if we were have to leave we could take both vehicles to our friends house to sit out the night. An ongoing lawsuit against the National Park Service over its handling of the 2016 Gatlinburg Wildfire is on hold as a federal judge considers a motion to dismiss the suit. There were cliffs in the area but firefighting Hotshot Crews can figure out how to work on steep slopes, sometimes backing off a bit, constructing a fire line and intentionally burning the fuel in between, preventing further expansion of the fire. Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Many locals are saying the lack of evac was income driven. Fire-wanted or unwanted- is not a warm and fuzzy abstract thing it is often portrayed in todays media and society to play around with. ), lack of knowledge of alternative communication systems (the Motorola area wide emergency radio system installed last year). Tom. The Championship side, who are 19th in the table, said there have been no injuries. The remains of a business in Gatlinburg, Tenn., smolder on Nov. 29, after a devastating wildfire damaged or destroyed more than 2,000 buildings and killed at least 14 people. So far, this week's tragic Tennessee wildfires have caused at least seven deaths, injured at least 50 more, and damaged or destroyed over 700 structures, a good portion of them in the city of Gatlinburg. Suppression actions, especially backfires, causing way more damage to natural resources than the wildfire is doing., First rule of any structure fire or wildfire. Im not saying IMTs are perfect (and no doubt there are background politics involved), but they sure appeared to do an awesome job coming to the situation with a big view and didnt hesitate to get the job done and keep the public informed. Wildfire experts have been warning local government officials about the potential for a fire of this magnitude for years. 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. Not to mention all the fallen limbs on the ground beneath them. Excellent points, Jody. But very little if any fire suppression activity occurred until Monday, November 28. There should be accountability for those in charge, in every arena of governance and responsibility and at every level. They couldnt get out a cell mssg. The body of an unidentified person was found amid the rubble of a downtown section of buildings that. Take my word for it, Ive seen back scratching going on down there for over 40 years. I think that since its been brought to attention that nepotism shouldnt be involved in these positions because when it is you have people covering up, like a cat trying to cover up poop! I phoned 911 and reported that the fire was approaching our home and that it was within a few feet of the city/park boundary. Had this fire+wind storm happened 3-4 weeks earlier it would have been exponentially worse, lots to be thankful for as we morn with TN. Also, lots of hills in the area washed to bedrock by cloud burst and slides. Photos: Fire in Gatlinburg, Tennessee | Photo Galleries | herald There was lots of sunlight and lots of low-level vegetation so much that the trail was overgrown and we decided to turn around. Sevier County remains Smokies Strong 5 years after wildfires - WBIR.com Most of the people that own property down there like me live elsewhere in the real world were things cannot be as easily shoved under the rug like they are down there. The massive Gatlinburg wildfires, which began in November, caused the deaths of 14 people, injured 175 others and destroyed homes and towns all around eastern Tennessee. Between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.they increased to 7 to 15 mph with gusts of 22 to 32 mph all generally out of the south, blowing toward Gatlinburg. Even though I am located adjacent to the National Forest lands on 3 sides, I cannot invite them onto my property to help me lessen the fuel load proximal to my home. The successes, and the losses, the poor decisions, the mistakes, the error and the failures. Aircraft dropping water or fire retardant on a fire cannot put it out. Here is a question & answer from Bill interviewing Tom Nichols on Wildfire Today: One of the more common errors in judgment you have seen on fires? Asked if I knew if there were any other people down in that area. One of the owners of the impacted businesses called a contractor to demolish a damaged portion of the building. That seems to be confirmation that the fire had crossed 441 early in the day. Im hoping at this point, its going to be pretty quick. The 2 juvenile defendants have been charged with the fire of Nov 23rd, 2016; but there has been NO apparent media release by officials and investigators as to whether these defendants started the fire of Nov 14th, 2016? And each structure became much more of a threat than the spreading ground fire ever was. night at 9pm when mom said there was evacuation notice on TV. The lawsuits from an event like Gatlinburg could go on for decades. Once again: the questions remain unanswered. Damage was estimated at. I hope that EM officials and local planning officials reconsider what and how structures are rebuilt in that area. Gatlinburg Fire Department crews responded to the scene and received help from Pigeon Forge Fire Department, Pigeon Forge Police Department, Sevierville Fire Department, Pittman Center Volunteer Fire Department, Sevier County Emergency Management Agency, Sevier County Medical Examiners Office and Sevier County Ambulance Services.

Caponata Recipes Gourmet Magazine, Breaking News Middletown, Ny, Cook County Hospital Jobs Taleo, Stanly Funeral Home Albemarle North Carolina Obituaries, Articles W