We had no significant rain in 2 months!!! I appreciate that fine quality of writing that expresses your thoughts in an easy to read yet structured style that makes sense. I have memories of the endless mountainous terrain, but the vast development that came into being, came well after my trip there. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the GFD, Gatlinburg Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. It would make suppression efforts difficult, but a fire break could have been constructed around the original slow-moving fire in the early days. Thanks! Investigators have determined that the fire was human-caused and are asking for information from anyone who has information about people or vehicles that were seen in the area that day. I was truly astounded at how well coordinated the IMT teams are they cover it all, firelines, backburns, aircraft, field communications, weather forecast, community information via meetings/Facebook/Blog page/Twitter with daily updates, pre-evacuation notices when wind events were predicted. GSMNP Facebook has pulled comments, photos, and replies as well in regard to the 14th fire. I have an Gatlinburg address but the county services my street. This is as far as this subject needs to go; for the objective of this site is in regard to wildfire. They need to be accountable for their inaction, and action. November 27th, 35 acres. LeConte, is spread primarily, if not exclusively through the air.Though I havent been there in awhile, there used to be a stunning grove of Hemlocks in the Linville Falls area off the Parkway approx. This article shows NPS was concerned by and notified of impending high winds. At 2 a.m. Monday the wind speeds recorded at Indian Grave began increasing and the direction became more consistently out of the south and southwest. Ive ranted about the comparison to how Chimney Tops and Gatlinburg was handled by GSMNP and TEMA. As a contractor I worked with a Dunes engine in Michigan MI years ago. Because we were heading home to Ohio early Tuesday morning, we packed our suitcases and put them in the car. Things are changing slowly, and the human factors are unfortunately changing at a much slower pace than the climate and other socio-economic factors. Officials keep repeating that nothing like this has ever happened here before so they cant be responsible. I would also hope that we would figure out that such major climate disruptions as the recent drought in the Southeast are getting more common and that human action has helped cause, and can help cure, such disruptions. I am a management specialist and I understand how to plan, and implement risk-protection and safety in many kinds of settings, to address various threats to people. Approximately 14,000 residents were originally forced to evacuate. Money. And I dont write about that many of them. Gatlinburg Fire 2016: The Start. Standing dead hemlock burned up their trunks, to as high as 50 feet on one specimen I saw. All of the big trees were gone (although younger trees had been treated and saved). Im not saying GRSM made the right or wrong decision, there is just a lot more involved then saying they didnt suppress it promptly. They found plenty of resources when they realize they were going to be burning all the money making business is down on Monday. Sunset that day was at 5:21 p.m. which would have allowed them to drop on the fire until 5:51 p.m., 30 minutes after sunset. Thanks for the legwork. This is a developing story. Climate change, human, social, political and economic factors are all also a part of this outcome, cause and effect. We had better see something besides suggestions for new warning systems and making people that are rebuilding their homes put in overly expensive sprinkler systems that way they can say to the press they made major strides and changes and they learned from the fire. Now I am tasked with trying to motivate and coordinate the local fire departments much of who are volunteer, the state and national forest professionals to work with me and the community. Guessing the fire spotted from the Chimneys, to Bullhead, then on to Twin Creeks area. There will be no access to Wiley Oakley or Westgate from the Spur. Thanks for adding more good insight. According to Ms.Schroer, firefighters walked up the Chimney Tops Trail to the top of the hill to size it up. However, by the time a federal judge dropped the charges six months later, some had lost focus on the fire. Behind the Chimneys is Sugarland Mountain. The fire, which was reported at 6:39 a.m. Sunday in the 700 block of Parkway, caused extensive damage to a block of businesses, the city's spokesperson said. She saw a fire and called 911. National Park Service Supervisory Park Ranger (Protection) in I am just saying that it is not necessary to lynch someone in order to hold them accountable. Take a look at the Chimney Tops Fire of Nov 14th, 2016 and you really might begin to question what really went wrong here. Location field must contain 'city, state' or a zip code to perform a radius search (e.g., Denver, CO or 46122).City and state must be separated by a comma followed by a space (e.g., Houston, TX) Birmingham City close training ground after fire causes damage Paddlers prepare to hit the water for the return of the Kualoa Hakipuu Canoe Festival, Former Mililani High athletic director indicted, Hawaii police departments offer big incentives as competition for new recruits heats up, Stroke survivor's specially-modified bike returned, Midday Newscast: City proposes $300 tax credit for those with homeowner's exemption, 'The Other Side of Paradise' with Lynn Kawano, KHNLPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KGMBPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KFVEPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KSIXPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KOGGPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246. Finding out about the fire has hurt me almost as much as it did the locals. No evacuation orders issued- If I had gone to work that day my two sons would be dead. It would be interesting to understanding the impact of excessive fuel from dead hemlocks, killed by hemlock wooly adelgid (together with the lack of moisture typically found under a mature, live, shady hemlock canopy, even with the extreme drought conditions) had on this fire. 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. If the NPS backfires were not ignited on the 28th; then they had to be ignited on the 27th a day before the fire broke out. I was surprised that we saw no one at the closed Chimneys parking area early morning when we drove by. On the radio, a man in the Forestry truck was somewhere around the Roaring Fork area (as I recall) looking for possible spot fires reported near a residence and was talking about the strong winds. My wife and I hiked to Alum Cave Bluffs Saturday, Nov. 26, while the fire was small up on the Chimneys. Ive noted the contrast between how the Incident Management Teams approached the fires compared to the NPS. 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. There isn't one specific cause behind the fires, Boyd said. Lose their jobs over this? I am broken-hearted over it .. 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??? There is much opportunity in the Eastern Appalachians to better prepare citizens, towns , leaders and firefighters; To create more fire aware and safe communities. I believe God was speaking to me early in the day on 28th and I am grateful for the ability He blessed me with to get out of Gatlinburg early.. (Originally published at 11:04 a.m. MST November 23 . I can feel for the service providers and the devastated fire victims. But those heroes should have never been in that situation in the first place. On November 27 the fire was a third of a mileas the crow flies from US Highway 441. Yes my house burnt along with 520 others in North Chalet Village, village no longer but all foundations. As one who has had experience and ready mix, concrete block, pavers, and pre-cast, one would be a fool to rebuild on ANY existing foundation that came in contact with temperatures approaching 3,000F. Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. I visited Gatlinburg on a trip to Asheville NC, in 1980. Also important is accountability, so is teaching, learning and experience, so is action, so is on and on. Local folks here who have been involved with Park issues have an old saying about the NPS and their mismanagement of historic structures. It is unfortunate that in our society people who speak out with a loud voice, or otherwise make waves for the privileged, get not only scorned but categorically destroyed by well planned out and financed design, often full of cover-up and lies and then propaganda is feed to the rest of us, of which we often take for gospel, when in fact is often not based on evidence or fact. I asked my husband to go outside and hook up the water hose we had disconnected for winter. I have my own opinion on what I would do if I ruled the world but I can guarantee you two people that would be looking for work very soon . Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Gatlinburg Fire Department and Gatlinburg Police Department officials are investigating. teams had Lake Lure and Tate City evacuate when high winds were forecast. 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. I later learned that Sevier County pays for an emergency notification system called Code Red Alert. Maybe a second year of drought? Where was all the HELP TO PUT THIS FIRE OUT A WHEN IT STARTED???? The main road out of Gatlinburg is the Spur, which is the 5 mile stretch of Park Service Road that lies between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. This fire as did others around this time had highly predictable potential for massive and rapid spread. Experience in itself is never enough. Unfortunately, Im not optimistic about the inter-agency review. It upset a lot of locals, but many lauded it. These breaks downs undoubtedly show shortcomings by officials. There was lots of sunlight and lots of low-level vegetation so much that the trail was overgrown and we decided to turn around. Good points about differentiating between prescribed fire and the wildfire. I think this is more often than not the case. However, to expect her to honor the NPS is inappropriate considering reality and her circumstances. The decisions that worked made us heroes, and those that did not changed us if we were allowed that opportunity. It also led officials to. From my back ground in fire, safety and as a fire investigator I see the development of a chain of multiple, unusual and totally unexpected events leading up to final blowup. Just looking at media coverage on the evacuation order public messaging snafu points out that this fire will provide many lessons learned for future fire managers. Damage was estimated at. There is room for all to be as important as the other, and hold all of these ideals up at the same time, to honor and to debate. Ill tell you why. Due to the damage this fire has caused Im sure there will be follow-up effects (and recriminations) for years. When I arrived in Branson at the hotel I was close to a fire exit, and frankly forgot about my nightmare. I checked historical aerial photos on the USGS website because the die-off of the hemlock has been primarily over the past 10 years in the southeastern Appalachians. Our place was gone. Like I said this is like so many tragic events, a chain reaction of events that all contributed to a disastrous outcome, because of actions and inactions that were not questioned or corrected at many steps of the way. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts for updates. Officials identified Robert A. Hejny, 63, who was found at Traveler's Motel in Gatlinburg. He was told there was none/no one. It goes for miles, Ive pushed as hard as I could straight down and only managed 1/10th mile an hour on the gps in a few such places. A voluntary evacuation should have been issued at least 36 hours before the fire exploded. After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire. Digression from Comment Thread When boys and I got back home around 3:45, the winds were beginning to pick up and branches were beginning to fall. I guess they are helping the people they always help and the rest of us are out of luck. Sunday, four days after the fire started, was the first time that any firefighting aircraft were used on the fire, Ms. Schroer said. What is unconstitutional here is that if this first fire of the 14th is under investigation, then certain parties have committed obstruction of justice. Common since would tell you a mountain fire in wind and drought would move very fast!!! Wednesday, November 23, the day the fire started. Even this article seems to skirt around some of the issues and miss the depth of analysis it needs to effect meaningful change. Thanksfully ATF agents helped TN Bureau of Investigation put their full resources at hand and arrested to two teenage idiots that started the fire. For the most current information about the Chimney Tops 2 Fire at Gatlinburg, see our articles tagged Chimney 2 Fire. Local officials dont seem to learn from past experiences, nor plan well for possible dangers. 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. Once the winds came on day 5 or 6, there was nothing anyone could do. and last updated 4:48 AM, Apr 05, 2022. Thats totally untrue. Even the Gatlinburg Fire Chief had been told on Sunday at 0900 that models had the fire hitting downtown Gatlinburg by Tuesday 1100. The one thing I noticed over the fall was that the National Forest Service held themselves accountable, called in Incident Management Teams from all over the country with big wildfire experience and those teams got it done. There are three broad categories of conditions that affect the way a wildfire burns: weather, fuels (vegetation), and topography. I think the point is that IMT managed wildfires in the southeast had residents in pre-evac mode when high winds were forecast before each cold front passed. How many resources were on how many fires at that time in this region and in others? The GRSM person that requested the Spot wrote: Concerned about ridgetop winds with the coming front. They had no sirens or Claxons blaring, no shouting to evacuate thru their grill mounted speakers. Your reply well done! They decided instead to monitor and to identifyon a map areas for indirect containment lines which encompassed 410 acres. Situational awareness to current and predicted variables, as well as the potential of possibility is key. TEMA had the power and authority, yet did nothing until Hell was at their door. Not everything that happened with the fires had a dotted line to those two teens. A friend that owns a rental company there said that about 90% of the homes in the area which leave them 10% they can rent or sale. The appearance of dead hemlock progression is astounding. I certainly hope the investigation of the totality of fire is not pressured to conclude prematurely. 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. Hasnt anyone noticed that friends groups are paying for major park infrastructure and various other projects that our Congress has failed to provide for? Nearly five years. GRSM posted Fire Information signs in the area explaining their monitoring strategy due to vertical cliffs, narrow rock ridges and steep drainages. They had access to the same fire flight info from Sundays flyover that other agencies had. The fire was approximately 8 acres in size, according to GRSM. Our government has been paying these communications companies millions in tax breaks and tax dollars to provide cellular and other affordable services to rural America, and they are failing to do so or providing the services at outrageous rates. My husband stopped the car and the two men inside identified themselves as city water department employees. 2 min read. I have to assume that the city of Gatlinburg felt that since my road was county property that I was on my own. That and your wish to pay 50% income tax and there will never be a fire again! I will not be looking for Gatlinburg or Sevier county first response personnel as those people will be grounded by a spineless group of county, city and NPS managers Who can only be described as cowardly indecisive. We watched the news the rest of evening. 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. Before the forest fires in the southeast this fall, I didnt know very much about wildfire fighting management (other than a bit from a mountain rescue EMT friend in Colorado and a friend that helps with prescribed burns for Georgia Conservancy). Thought among the locals is that officials didnt want to lose the post-holiday weekend crowd and revenue. I began to notice people smoking while driving their vehicles when I would be out and about and they would flick burning embers out windows and sometimes throw cigarettes out windows. When you have an active, non controlled fire, an area in exceptional drought, late fall vegetative conditions, and southerly winds of 40 to 60 MPH forecasted, you do not need to be a nuclear physicist to realize the potential (probability) that a catastrophic fire event is right at your doorstep. This goes all the way to our Congress and irresponsible, blind, budget cutting exercises. What Caused The Gatlinburg Fire - BikeHike Even the courts of law no longer put as heavy weight on personal testimony, as so much has been proven to so easily be manipulated and affected by a host of factors. Body found amid rubble of Sunday's major fire in Gatlinburg Thanks again for this forum. This is just one more example of one more related issue that is seemingly un-connected until you delve into the issues deeply. By the time we got to the Marshalls house it was 6:00 PM and they were watching the news. National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, Knoxville utilities crews work to restore power after intense storms, Missing elderly Knoxville woman last seen at hospital, police say, Vols drop to 5-seed in SEC Tournament after falling at Auburn, 79-70. the downtown fire on Oct. 9 that killed one person and injured another. I could not figure how to put pictures on Wildfire Today, so here are links to let you see whats happened in the Park. I believe that many, many people are alive now because they did use common sense but some of the people who died, were victims of circumstances that they should never have faced if their public officials had been acting solely on their responsibility, first and foremost, and perhaps only, to protect and serve. 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. Zoom Abruptly Fires President Greg Tomb 'Without Cause' I just hope, like Jeannine, that fire managers can learn from this tragedy because we really need the tool of prescribed fire in the tool box. To repeat what you have already said, people on the mountain especially Chalet Village north, no longer feel safe . When we got to the bottom of the mountain, we ran into the Sevier County Electric crew where the road was blocked. 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. Needless to say one tanker run can drop more water than two helicopters can do in a full day. Screenshot from the Knox News video. Whomever is in charge locally for the NPS should also be summarily fired. Ever since Hurricane Katrina, I have doubted the ability of our emergency managers to plan for any aspect of, or kind of disaster, and the fire in Gatlinburg only supports my concerns. 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.. To echo your statements, the information is out there, a model exists on how to properly do it now its getting the proper training for all of the professionals involved and the public taking the role of accountability watchdogs. 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. I have seen local hiking pictures that appear to show two separate smoke columns on Saturday 11/26. There are a lot of excellent experienced fire management staff working for the Park Service. I was nervous about it. At the big forest fires in NC and GA, where the federal incident management teams were located, the Incident teams ordered pre-evacuation prior to the arrival of a cold front when strong, gusty winds were forecast. I hope this video puts people at ease that this fire is. I knew high winds were predicted for Gatlinburg by watching the weather channel. Below is a comment I posted from New Sentinel article about Gatlinburg fire, Wildfire Today something that undoubtedly should be investigated as well as compared to their actions of the 23rd to 28th Chimney Tops Fire 2: Officials are evasive and vague about the 1st Chimney Tops Fire. But when it's close to home, the sadness and concern of those affected is ten-fold in the worry department. The Gatlinburg Fire Department was dispatched to the 700 block of Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg at 6:39 a.m. on October 9. China Bazaar, Pucker's Sports Grill, Gifts of . Gatlinburg fire burns downtown When I built a home here just a few years ago and wanted to have a sprinkler system installed, I was told we dont have big wildfires here. 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. Though Im missing the boat a little here, my questioning is still legitimate being that any managed ignited fire can still get out of control adding to an existing wildfire or creating one. How many have died in the gatlinburg forest fire? - JacAnswers Since we had been planning all day to go downtown to play trivia at Smoky Mountain Brewery, we left the house about 5:55PM. While I had the privilege is having dinner with the NPS director at a prescribed fire conference I am just a retired rx fire practitioner. Brian Blanco/Getty. Many times, as has been thoroughly vetted during the analysis the Chimney Top 2 wildfire the ONLY option is an all out aggressive, throw the world at it initial attack from air, ground and sea. Honor. Monday I was surprised to look at the Knoxville News and see nothing about evacuation notices. Susan, We must open our eyes and ears and check behind each corner and crevice to see the reality and not just the story being told by a few. 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. Teddy Roosevelt, who as you may know, was instrumental in establishing our national parks. Youre right change is hard to come by. Park Service has not issued any warnings and there are no active fires in Gatlinburg city limits. I ask her if they had plans of issuing a warning if evacuations became necessary and ask her how they would do that. Bats were roosting in the church rafters and dropping feces onto the pews. Things dont change unless people stand up and make them change. We saw some trucks when we drove out late morning. Jeannine, what an awesome, in-depth and thoughtful response. But until the awareness of possibility and the letting go of holding onto what we think we know to be the truth much will remain unchanged. The one picture showing a PVC clean-out with charring on it is a very good example of a very fast, hot torch of flame blasting a relatively small area.