Authorities were evacuating more residents as the fire threatened 15 to 20 homes in the Priscilla Heights area of Sevier County, Tennessee, Dean Flener of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said. Live Update (4:16 p.m.): WVLT News spoke with the Sevier County Assistant for Governmental Affairs Perrin Anderson said the number of 2. And, its the days after that night that they said give them a new light in life. Evacuations are in effect. Guests staying in Sevier County's park vista hotel described being trapped inside by wildfires that raged in 2016, Power outages reported across the region following severe storms, Kentucky State Police investigating Floyd County death, Restrictions on vehicles restoring power and clearing debris temporarily lifted, Governor Andy Beshear updates Kentuckians following severe weather. She told the dispatcher, The fire is next door to my house My husband is not home. pic.twitter.com/yysCq3tgIn It looks like somebody just went through there and just dropped a bomb on the place, Shannon McCostlin told WATE. Updated: Jan 31, 2023 / 06:23 PM EST. 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. We want to especially thank our partner Knoxville Area Transit for providing us a ride! around 30 mph. They asked people to call 911 only for emergencies. Because of this, the addition of overnight rain was a necessity on Wednesday evening. This could lead to significant fire spread toward the northeast before the showers begin. Everybody took it very seriously because of what happened, he said. Flying over Wears Valley pic.twitter.com/H7KQbUep14, Pete Michaels Traffic (@MetroSkyWatch) March 31, 2022. Tennessee National Guard officials told WVLT News that they have provided six UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters to support responders in Sevier County Thursday morning. She added that she was in touch with people at Dollywood, Partons theme park in Pigeon Forge, and that everything is okay there.. Have a wildland fire news tip? The Sevier County Fairgrounds will open Friday to receive donations as well. Pigeon Forge Crews with the Dandridge Fire Department along with other Jefferson County fire departments were headed to the fire to assist the Sevier Co. Wildland Task Force. I dont have a vehicle, and I have no way out of here. It is possible that the strong winds on Wednesday affected the incident. At least one structure in Blount County has been affected, Anderson said regarding the Millstone Gap Fire. Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters opened the conference by confirming that there had been no fatalities as of Friday. Pigeon Forge Seymour Heights Christian Church at 122 Boyds Creek Highway is open as a shelter for persons displaced by the Hatcher Mountain Road/ Indigo Lane 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. I know there are some folks who have been affected, and I hope that you will join me in saying a prayer for them, Parton said. The blaze is being pushed by strong winds. 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. 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. Copyright 2022 WVLT. He said that after a night of fighting, responders had gotten the fire 5% contained. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - An evacuation was ordered for residents in Pigeon Forge Thursday following a fast-moving brush fire that officials are calling the Pine Mountain Fire and has since been lifted. WVLT News also spoke with Brook Smith, a forester at the scene, who said as nightfall nears the situation may improve some. Mayor Waters also thanked the community for the outpouring of support, saying people and residents had donated many items including food, water and new clothes. Did you encounter any technical issues? PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Dozens of Sevier County residents faced uncertainty Wednesday night as a raging wildfire came through the area. As of 6 p.m., the fire had affected at least 20 structures, like buildings, and one civilian was injured. SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) - Responders from several East Tennessee agencies are on the scene of a major wildfire in Sevier County. Thursday afternoon the humidity will be in the 50s with 10 to 14 mph southwest winds gusting to 29 mph. 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. 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. Sevier County officials give the latest information in the fight against the Hatcher Mountain Fire. Sevier County fire 100% contained - wave3.com KFD will remain throughout the night, and likely into Saturday. Duran confirmed the flag and banner did, in fact, belong to him. Sevier County officials have officially restarted the Mountain Tough program. The visuals of the fire are tough to view. Dozens of Sevier County residents faced uncertainty Wednesday night as a raging wildfire came through the area. Click here. "We're currently putting in lines and doing structure protection," Smith said. All Rights Reserved. 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. "At this time, the high winds are anticipated to affect primarily the Tennessee side of the park," the park wrote on its Facebook page. Crews closed the road, saying they were focusing on stopping the fire from crossing it and spreading into more populated areas. Residents can evacuate to the Pigeon Forge Community Center if needed. Sevier County EMA officials also released a phone number for people to call with questions or information about areas affected by the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire Thursday afternoon. I could see the smoke coming off of Waldens Creek back there, and I was like, That's coming from where I live.. There was no update on his condition this morning. Herman Duran is one of the countless homeowners and residents impacted bythe two Smoky Mountainregion wildfires that broke out in late March. The fires caused more than $66 million in damages in Sevier County, according to early estimates. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said two juveniles were charged with aggravated arson, but the charges were dropped, according to attorney Greg Isaacs. He said teams were out evaluating which roads could be reopened. Updated When the fire spread throughout Sevier County, more firefighters were brought in than ever before to start evacuating certain areas, according to Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller. The fire spanned 30 to 40 acres. 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. 2. -Pass Departmental NFPA 1582 Complaint Physical Exam. Fire in Pigeon Forge A fire destroyed a business and damaged others nearby Monday fire Pigeon Forge brush fire fully put out | wbir.com The fire is known as the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire according to the Emergency Management department. Parkside Resort is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Credit: Parkside Resort/Facebook. -Certification as a TN Fire Inspector I or ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment. Im especially proud of the brave men and women who are working to contain the fire, the singer wrote. Thewind is making this fire very hard to manage.". A wildfire burns in Sevier County, Tennessee, on Wednesday. Crews spent Thursday through Saturday working to establish a containment area lower down the mountain. It has been a brutal 24 hours in Pigeon Forge, TN. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - An evacuation was ordered for residents in Pigeon Forge Thursday following a fast-moving brush fire that officials are calling the Pine Mountain Fire and has since been lifted. However, another user tweeted a photo from Gatlinburg. Officials said they plan on beginning assessments for damaged areas following the fire, and asked that people do not call 911 for damage reports. Flames erupted in a remote area with steep terrain that made access to the fire difficult for firefighters. NEW: Rain helps put out most of wildfire near resort town in eastern Tennessee, NEW: Firefighters have been able to leave, as just a few hot spots remain, About 20 fire departments had been battling the blaze, which started Sunday as a house fire, Fire charred more than 35 buildings, turned propane tanks into shrapnel. Dozens of Sevier County residents faced uncertainty Wednesday night as a raging wildfire stormed through the area. #WearsValleyFire.. Five fire rescue vehicles, including four county vehicles and one state vehicle, were damaged as a result of the fire, Waters said. 2022-03-31. Well thankfully a church has got us a hotel room located for the night, Chris Clemmons said. Sevier County officials updated the evacuation map, linked above, to highlight the most up-to-date evacuation orders Friday afternoon. Multiple communities under evacuation orders as wildfires grow and new ones spark overnight. All rights reserved. He also said he believed that his department would be able to turn over control of the Hatcher Mountain fire to local responders in the next 24-48 hours. The Millstone Gap Fire grew to 650 acres as crews continue to fight both fires. The fire was 30 to 40 acres and was 100% contained by Friday afternoon. Propane tanks have been exploding, Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Tony Watson said Sunday. SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. The Pigeon Forge Fire Department fought an apartment complex fire that affected 150 rooms Tuesday night, according to the department. Due to low humidity and high bursts of wind, a red flag warning was established. Seymour Heights Christian Church, (122 Boyd's Creek Highway) and the Pigeon Forge Community Center (170 Community Center Drive) are available as shelters for persons displaced by the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire. Web-Must reside in State of Tennessee no further than 30 road miles from the Pigeon Forge Fire Station #1 or Fire Station #2. Massive Wildfire Engulfs Tennessee Resort Towns The smoke could be seen for miles, as a plume was captured on the National Weather Service radar stretching from Pigeon Forge to Dandridge. They were hoping to reunite it with its owner. The wildfires touched over 1,000 acres. Their three sons Paul, Shawn, and Phillip were sent to the burn unit at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Anyone in the affected area should use caution as emergency crews continue to work. Pigeon Forge Residents can go to the Gatlinburg Convention Center or Pigeon Forge Community Center. Highway 321, Wears Valley Road, was closed to traffic from Townsend to Pigeon Forge due to the fire. It has been a brutal 24 hours in Pigeon Forge, TN. But he had no idea his flag and banner had been rescued until he made the trek to Pigeon Forge to check on what was left of his property. Only five acres were still burning Monday evening, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Director James Bassham told CNN affiliate WATE. ", Things can be replaced, people cant, he said. It was a bad combination for the area on Wednesday. The recordings also detail the heroic efforts of crews battling the blaze behind the scenes. Mayor Waters also said he would provide media with updates later in the afternoon, which WVLT will relay through the WVLT News App live. Three more people were found dead on Campbell Lead Road. Elaine Brown, 81, died after she sustained a medical event that caused a multi-vehicle accident on Wears Valley Road while fleeing the fire. WVLT News spoke with the Sevier County Assistant for Governmental Affairs Perrin Anderson confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the Hatcher Mountain Wildfire was 100% contained. He told her to contact 911. The Hatcher Mountain Road Fire grew over the course of Thursday, but authorities also announced an increase in the containment of the fire. Very little current information is available about this fire. Officials said that several agencies responded to Cold Creek Resort around 10 p.m. Tuesday after a fire started in the laundry room. While the crew had been unable to save that particularcabin, they said,they took down the flag when they retreated. The Sevier County Mandatory evacuation orders in the county, which includes Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, will remain in place, Waters said. Documents filed in the case obtained by WVLT News show Reed filed a claim in 2017. The second video shows fire crews working to save cabins in Sevier County as flames creep closer. Officials updated yesterdays estimate of 2,675 acres burned to 2,498 acres. In response, weather experts said that combined with the dry vegetation and the strong winds, they issued a red flag warning. The Kings Academy at 202 Smothers Road, Seymour, TN, is open as a shelter for those evacuating. Along with those updates should come a more accurate number of structures affected. Copyright 2022 WVLT. Kyle Grainger WVLT sent these photos in from the Hatcher Mountain fire as it is now being called. 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. Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. We are predominately making efforts on the western line of the [Hatcher Mountain] fire, he said. Sevier County Fairgrounds Donations Schedule by WVLT News on Scribd. At the time, the Gatlinburg police chief told WVLT News that cell phone towers were down in the area. The National Weather Services spot weather forecast for the incident predicts that a line of showers will move into the fire area bringing about half an inch of precipitation between 3 and 6 a.m. Fire officials also said that lessons learned in the 2016 Gatlinburg fires helped authorities respond to this weeks fire. The website (mountaintough.org) manages information and donations. Because of this, the addition of overnight rain was a necessity on Wednesday evening. Residents and visitors needing general information, or having information to provide, on areas affected by the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire may call 865-774-3899. 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires - Wikipedia Mayor Waters confirmed that there had still been no fatalities in the week, and the only person seriously injured had been released from the University of Tennessee Medical Center. (No insurance company calls, please. Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge Fires Kill 3; at Least 400 The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, Waters said. The fire also grew to around 3,700 acres, affecting over 100 structures and even five fire agency vehicles, Waters said. An Air Force veteran whose Pigeon Forge vacation cabin was completely destroyed in the recent East Tennessee wildfiressaid he plans to rebuild in time for his anticipated retirement. Eleven plaintiffs are suing the National Park Service, and the cases are broken down into two phases. The high winds that took down the power lines to spark the fires also fueled the progression of the fires,"Agricultural Crime Unit Captain Greg Whitehead said. As spring break runs through next week, this means that students should return to schools on Monday, April 11. Another fire that started March 26 about 17 miles south of Gatlinburg near Bryson City and Whittier, the Thomas Divide Fire, has burned 948 acres. Sevier County EMA officials took to Twitter late Thursday morning to give an update on damage assessment and donation plans. Seymour Heights Christian Church, located at 122 Boyds Creek Highway, is opening its doors to anyone displaced by the fire. Red Cross officials confirmed the Pigeon Forge Community Center shelter will close at 2 p.m. Sunday. During this time, Constance observed flames coming from a house across the street. In an effort to learn more, Knox News spoke to residents in the area about the brushfires happening once again in the Gatlinburg area. WVLT News spoke to Assistant Sevier County Mayor for Governmental Affairs Perrin Anderson, who confirmed that the Hatcher Mountain Wildfire is now 80% contained. Stay vigilant. Its UTV was been requested, officials posted. If you are in need of shelter please come to 202 Smothers Road, Seymour, TN. At this time, Wears Valley Road is still closed. Our response was challenged due to loss of internet and cell service. Despite the predictions, on Monday, Nov. 28, dry weather and extreme winds caused the fire to grow rapidly. Wears Valley Road and Waldens Creek Road reopened according to officials with the Sevier County Emergency Management Agency. Twin brothers Beau and Zackary MacLellan lost their home and their jobs to the fire. Officials with the Rural Metro Fire Department announced they deployed one engine and one chief officer to Sevier County to assist their incident management team. LG&E gives power outage update for Fridays severe weather, WAVE Weather Now Syncbak Channel Embed for PBE Page, Man killed in Blankenbaker Lane crash identified by officials, Governor Beshear provides updates after storms and damaging winds, Louisville mayor declares state of emergency due to severe weather. 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. Waters did have some good news, saying he thinks that the worst of the danger is over. The area is home to rental cabins with some permanent residences. Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters spoke to WVLT News about the situation Wednesday afternoon, saying officials are doing their best to stay ahead of fires, monitor conditions and issue evacuations when needed. Waters said that responders began the fight with the fire as soon as it began, around 11 a.m. Wednesday. 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. The U.S. Government through its employees, failed to follow mandatory regulations to monitor and extinguish a fire in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, thereby allowing it to spread beyond the park boundaries onto claimants private property, destroying their property and resulting in the death of his wife Constance and their daughters Chloe and Lily, court documents read. Hudson said asschools closed due to the evacuations, children were bused to the evacuation center so parents could pick them up. If it keeps going, we already know well be here as long as we need, Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Tony Watson said. Please keep in mind our commenting ground rules before you post a comment. All manpower and resources from the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Fire departments were used to stop the blaze. Discovery Company. Posted: Mar 2, 2023 / 06:41 AM EST. "Fire at the Red Roof Mall in Pigeon Forge. " Kaitlin Wright tweeted, Devastating video of the wildfire ongoing near the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area. Pigeon Forge Responders also spoke on coordination during the fight, saying they paired out-of-town responders with local ones that could provide directions when needed. A no-fly restriction remains for the public for Wears Valley and Chilhowee Mountain through April 7, according to a release. Besides the well-being of homeowners and dwellings in the tourist Great Smoky Mountains destination, the biggest worries are clusters of fallen trees. Tennessee Forestry representative Bruce Miller gave a fire update, saying the Hatcher Mountain Fire is 95% contained. Upon arrival to the area, they will receive their assignments to help fellow firefighters that have already been on scene for several hours, officials with the Dandridge Fire Department said. The American Red Cross is asking people who are planning to come to an evacuating center to bring bedding (such as pillows) and prescribed medications with them to help make their stay more comfortable, the agency said in a tweet. CNNs Melissa Alonso, Sara Smart and Chris Boyette contributed to this report.