I could not figure how to put pictures on Wildfire Today, so here are links to let you see whats happened in the Park. The truck was filled with firefighters. We have also come upon many campfires that tent campers and others thought or extinguished but were back to a full burn with not adequate fire breaking around it. It had burned into a picnic area and crossed the main roadinto the park, US Highway 441. Suffice it to say betting against individual as well as class-action instruments being utilized against local and federal officials would be as unlikely as betting that the sun wont rise tomorrow. Did the fire have to be so devastating? Also important is accountability, so is teaching, learning and experience, so is action, so is on and on. The steepness here is epic, the only way out of valleys this steep is straight down or up, your lucky not to hit a waterfall. (Bloomberg) -- Zoom Video Communications Inc. slumped in early trading Friday after abruptly terminating the employment of . He replied to me on Christmas Eve no less, that they were double checking all the facts to make sure all of their information was as accurate as possible and would keep digging. I told her when she does mine about my rebuild and my crooked contractor I will speak plenty about the ineptness of the NPS and local fire officials. As I reflect on the comments regarding this fire, the articles and analysis, as well as any instance of leadership, decision-making and accountability, I have to askHow is it that one gets experience? All those who have experience from saythe wildfires out west, were not born with it. As long as there are watchdogs for the truth such yourself, it will be hard to bury. Lets just live in denial, honor the government no matter what; and allow history to repeat itself with numerous secular and religious dictators. Our forest service guys have been very busy with hand efforts, running dozers in our hazardous terrain and with aircraft. Out of all the issues evolving around negligence and what could have been done, etc. 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. It means they eliminated natural causes, such as lightning and volcano eruptions. Copyright 2022 WVLT. I knew him when he was at Indiana Dunes National Lake Shore. Many on that team are not NPS employees, but are highly experienced wildfire fighters. They just sat back and watched it burn. As a former FF, their claim that they could have never put it out if they tried from day one is BS. Bats were roosting in the church rafters and dropping feces onto the pews. They need to be accountable for their inaction, and action. a wind and weather event like they got, that resulted in fire spread that resulted the the state TEMA command center to have to relocate in the middle of the incident gives a picture of what they were dealing with. 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. Things are changing slowly, and the human factors are unfortunately changing at a much slower pace than the climate and other socio-economic factors. Thanks again for this forum. The report stated the demolition was requested due to the health and safety of the citizens and visitors in the event of a full structure collapse.. Wildfire experts have been warning local government officials about the potential for a fire of this magnitude for years. When I crawled my way up Pinecrest Drive to Wiley Oakley through dense smoke, I saw a Gatlinburg pumper at the top of the hill. GSMNP manager said he couldnt order an evacuation but he surely could have recommended one as the forecast for high winds was given early Sunday. Thanks for your rundown on the fire Bill. These people both the successful along with the ones who erred and experienced failure, courageously risked being vulnerable in order to help others. One week before the fire, a backcountry ranger confronted people that had built a fire at Alum Cave Bluffs. Read more Tennessee Wildfire Cause: Gatlinburg Fires May Have Been Man-Made, Officials Claim is an article from: The Inquisitr News. But if park management had been spending budget on fire management capabilities equal to those sites there would likely be criticism of that. Neddo said total shock is the only way to describe how he feels. In wildfire-riddled Tennessee, climate change is a hot topic Bill, correct me if I am wrong, but aircraft should be on the ground a half hour after sunset? Analyzing the fire that burned into Gatlinburg - Wildfire Today They couldnt get out a cell mssg. Fire behavior is predictable, based on things such as mentioned in this article; weather, terrain and fuels. I dont understand, but I dont judge. Which is pretty near chimney tops. Also, lots of hills in the area washed to bedrock by cloud burst and slides. That should have been done over Thanksgiving! Within a few days or week prior to this deadly fire I heard a local major Knoxville radio station broadcasting a satire bashing HRC, Obama, the Federal Government among a few other controversial things, and how the revolution has begun including the incitement of burning down the place, this Knoxville radio station followed this rant with songs whose lyrics tough-ted and instructed the starting of fires. For almost 24 hours a day for 10 days or more, I read everything I could about Gatlinburg, and even found Wildfire Today during that I went back a few years ago and it was completely different. Hasnt anyone noticed that friends groups are paying for major park infrastructure and various other projects that our Congress has failed to provide for? This is a developing story. After action reports with ample opportunity for community input led to better pre-fire management and intra-agency coordination of resources. It was about 11:30AM when we got to downtown Gatlinburg, where I took photos of the heavy on the Parkway in town. Excellent information and supporting documentation. Thanks for the good fact based, solid coverage of the events leading up to the fire. 1 Dead in Gatlinburg Fire That Affected Travel to Smokies All rights reserved. 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. Report: Gatlinburg fire caused $7 million in damages The GSMNP PR person announced at 2:02 pm that fires were expected to grow over the next 8 hours with wind gust of 85 mph. I knew high winds were predicted for Gatlinburg by watching the weather channel. Ms. Schroer told us that additional firefighters were ordered on Sunday. Jeannine, its obvious that you write from the heart, and you write so well it is indeed inspirational. The news media started out just like the city news conference people leading people to believe the fire that burned everything occurred on November 28th, not true. The winds were blowing from the Chimneys more down the mountain than up toward LeConte. Our responses to this fire event have included comments with blame and fault-finding as well as a suggestion that we investigate in order to learn for future decision-making. I have wanted to learn because I dont know enough to say much, but when I read your two posts about the loss of your cabin, and your escape, I felt I had to say, Im so sorry, to you, and probably speak for many many others who did not find this blog and find an avenue to learn, listen and to speak. The official cause is down power lines due to high winds and fallen trees, according to a National Park Service news release. As it was, there had been brush fires burning in N Georgia and Western NC since October. That is great knowledge to share. All rights reserved. Copyright 2022 WVLT. Here is one interview I gave to a Cincinnati station 2-3 days after the fire. However, by the time a federal judge dropped the charges six months later, some had lost focus on the fire. Branches were hitting the house with a great deal of force. Will we fail forward? Emergency crews were on the scene for 31 hours extinguishing the fire before the emergency demolition was requested. Photos: Fire in Gatlinburg, Tennessee | Photo Galleries | herald Amazingly, some locals have whined about Knox News and Wildfire Today pointing out facts and timelines while ignoring the fact that it was Congress that cut the National Forest and National Park budgets. All the guy in the truck told us was that they had dug a fire line and were told to wait here. Then another large red pickup came down from Turkey Nest Road and stopped in front of us. Maybe within the next year, well see some kind of progress come together, said Neddo. Fire crews were dispatched to a structure fire around 6:30. Alice Hagler was reported missing by her family and later confirmed dead. Drought, fall winds, fuel moistures that havent recovered in months, what part of this disaster was a surprise. The extremely dry conditions in the area, though, should have raised the concern level. I am not convinced that all of what is considered to be the Chimney Tops 2 fire is. I wish some barracuda Attorney would take this on and represent the property owners in a lawsuit to try to recuperate some of our losses, any takers? It is interesting, though not a surprise that when so many diverse experts from across the country and sometimes other countries come with diversity of experience, backgrounds, and training; all come together to handle a disastrous incident, such as this, they do so and often are quite successful. My questions are: what were the wind speeds when NPS crews ignited these backfires to protect NPS structures; and if they ignited fire on the 28th when the winds were getting stronger and stronger, would the potential exist for backfire embers to get out of control? Charges dropped against youths accused in Gatlinburg wildfires Firefighting aircraft were not used until helicopters dropped water on the fire Sunday afternoon, November 27 four days after it started. Many, if not most, of these incidents leave the confines of the managing agency and sweep out onto lands owned or managed by others who had NO input into the original incident management strategy. 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. According to Ms.Schroer, firefighters walked up the Chimney Tops Trail to the top of the hill to size it up. The Spur between Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg is open from Pigeon Forge to the Gatlinburg Welcome Center. By the way, I havent seen any local media covering much for the victims since the coverage with Jerry and the pursuit of compensation. Lets look in the mirror before we are too quick to blame someone else. 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. It is not a black and white world, not a this or that, it is all encompassing. Rockslide on the Spur Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge - wate.com 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. One thing Id add: the county is allowing residents that lost their home to use their existing block or poured foundation as long as they have one of their local cemetacious experts test it and approve it. The radio conversation was fairly early in the day as I recall, maybe 7:30-8:00 am. 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. Tennessee wildfire near Gatlinburg prompts evacuations of 11,000 homes He asked them how or who we could contact to get emergency information. Those with information are urged to contact the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017 or the GFD at 865-436-5112. Thank you for your kind words and concern about our loss. This is from previous questioning of mine from another Wildfire Today article: Team to Begin Chimney Tops 2 Fire: I appreciate your more thorough break down of backfire. Despite that, officials now say that the Gatlinburg fire began in the park and was. A fire burns at a high-rise building under construction in the Tsim Sha Tsui district in Hong Kong on March 3, 2023. The Chimney Tops 2 Fire was reported in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, TN at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, 2016. Other than the way the police were able to evacuate 4,000 people from Gatlinburg with little notice on Monday evening, everyone else involved did a very poor job. The needle suffered extensive damage and was closed for three years. These fires were allowed to cook with little or no suppression action. 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. Though once high winds hit, given the conditions there was no stopping the fire from destroying property. I can only say that I had no peace at all whatsoever after the first word I heard of the terrible fire there .. We had somewhat of a plan but both agreed that if we had a warning or concern we would leave because of our location and our neighborhood has no fire hydrants. I am sure the Alum Cave trail up Mt. Some of those businesses told WVLT News they have a long road ahead as they wait on insurance adjustors to calculate their losses. We may never really know the truth about this situation just as with so many other current and prominent situations. 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. I am not one to Monday Morning Quarterback, because none of us have all the information and really we all have limited information, no one person knows it all; but as a citizen with background knowledge, experience, training, risk and situational awareness, the potential was clearly predictable days in advance of the aggressive action. It is so much easier to sit on the outside, pass judgement and sentencing in the name of accountability than it is to be involved in the event of vulnerability in action. Concerning the time the fire jumped 441. The coordination and communication of the Incident Management teams is impressive. Then and only then will He let you effectively manage His creation that He has allowed you to be a part of for a short time. I hope the recordings werent pulled under threat of someones attorney or the DA. We have a mountaintop cabin about 50 miles south of this area. On November 23 when the fire was discovered the KBDI was 599, Molly Schroer, a spokesperson for the IMT told us. One Person Dead After Downtown Gatlinburg Fire Sunday I get free speech, but if I yelled fire in a crowded theater when there was none and it contributed to death and injury I too would be held liable; my speech would not be protected! I hope that the firefighters, leaders, and authorities in this area make sure to perform in depth After Action Reviews and make changes to avoid these issues in the future. Officials will verify renters and lease holders, as needed. Sevier County remains Smokies Strong 5 years after wildfires - WBIR.com According to the great gag order, government officials should not be commenting???? How many have died in the gatlinburg forest fire? - JacAnswers Hire an independent fire behavior consultant to assist in PLANNING and timely response if conditions appear to be coming into (fire) alignment. Body found amid rubble of Sunday's major fire in Gatlinburg It is a primary source and illuminates some of the discussion topics that have been on Wildfire Today. Because we were heading home to Ohio early Tuesday morning, we packed our suitcases and put them in the car. There were and continue to be many deaths and fires that occurred in those western areas, and with those IMT expert Teams, that taught hard lessons, and enabled those people to gain experience and become the so called experts in the field. When one seriously examines the events, these lives could have been spared despite the power of fire and wind. Impressive. I believe someone else may have mentioned this in other Wildfire Today article/comments? There are A lot of cheap seats in the arena filled with people who never venture onto the floor. 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. 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. I told him there wasnt when I got there at 5 oclock but I could not even see driveways on the way up. Why did they wait until Monday to do a voluntary a evacuation or were the city father is involved in the decision not to panic the thousands and thousands of people still there for the Thanksgiving holiday. Anyone can arm chair quarterback incident manager decisions after the smoke clears. China Bazaar, Pucker's Sports Grill, Gifts of Gatlinburg, and Caf 420 were all deemed a complete loss. Once again, can fire discreetly smolder in the duff amid rock crevices? Another 2.3 inches accumulated that day by the time it stopped at 7 p.m. 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 . We must change our minds first and then we must change our actions. The report said the fire was an accident and caused around $7 million in damages. A high-elevation area that possessed the largest unbroken Spruce-Fir forest in the S. Appalachians. Then, a few days later they had the full timeline article and info about the NPS not following its own protocols. When we got to end of Beech Branch Rd., and turned onto Spur, there was no traffic but the winds were getting worse. 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. Instead simply took pictures on their phone, 3. 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. He wanted us to pack and leave. TEMA had the power and authority, yet did nothing until Hell was at their door. Suggestion, contact Dolly Parton or representatives of her holdings and give her (them) the emergency phone line to Global Supertankers. The report said the fire was an accident and caused around $7 million in damages. Most events have a series of issues that contribute to the outcome, the more catastrophic the event the greater the number of contributing factors. Being that were neighbors with these people, its people that we love. You have my utmost respect for firefighting; and Ive recently addressed a firefighter who was an apparent spokesman for the local media patty-caking. The Chimney Tops Trail led from the highway to the top of the hill. On Friday, Gatlinburg city officials released a report detailing the downtown fire on Oct. 9. Would it be wise to implement backfire with such strong winds forecasted on top of exceptional drought and fuels? 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. Hemlocks were mentioned in a number of daily updates on Inciweb because they are basically standing roman candles thanks to the spiral of limbs. It took the governor to get the lack of evac into the open, as local gov was trying to keep it out of the press. It is not just officials who have not caught up with the new climate reality, it is the general public and those in the path of fire. Tommy Kirkland says: Many are willing to allow the absolute open permission to some to behave as they will without question, but are unwilling to allow others the same room to learn and grow. Im totally with you accountability. Published: Nov. 30, 2016, 8:41 p.m. Dry conditions and high winds caused a wildfire on Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains to spread quickly .