UPDATE: New Fire near Park Headquarters, More Closures. New Fire in Smokies Spurs Twin Creek & Mynatt Park Evacuations, Gatlinburg Monitoring Fires, Some Roads Closed due to Chimney 2 Fire

Park Fire Update 6:15 pm 11/28/16

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials reported additional fire activity including the Park Headquarters area and a spot fire between Elkmont and Newfound Gap Road off of the Sugarland Mountain Trail approximately 1 mile south of the Husky Gap Trail intersection. The park has closed the Gatlinburg Bypass and Little River Road from Sugarlands Visitor Center to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area due to fire activity and downed trees. The park has evacuated employees from the Elkmont and Park Headquarters housing areas.

Due to continued erratic winds, the fires are very unpredictable and more fire growth is expected. Wind conditions continue to worsen with 40 mph average winds being recorded and 74 mph gusts.

The park will hold a briefing update at 7:00 p.m. at the Gatlinburg Fire Department Headquarters at 1230 East Parkway, Gatlinburg

Park Fire Update 2:00 pm 11/28/16

· The Chimney 2 fire started on Wed, Nov 23 on the north spire of the Chimney Tops. The fire was first reported at less than 2 acres and grew to 8 acres by Sat (11/26).

· A suppression area was established but due to extreme winds sustained at 20 mph and weather conditions, spot fires spread outside the containment area Sunday night. There are spot fires burning in the Chimneys Picnic area and across Newfound Gap Road on Bullhead Ridge. The size of these spot fires are unknown due to visibility issues.

· A small fire was reported at approximately 11:35 am on Mon (11/28) near the Twin Creeks Picnic Pavilion off of Cherokee Orchard Road. It is unknown if this is a spot fire from the Chimney 2 Fire or if it is an independent ignition.

Fire Personnel

· Park fire crew numbers responding to the Chimney 2 Fire have continued to increase over the course of the weekend. Currently park firefighters have been joined by firefighters from Utah and additional support resources have been ordered including an incident management team along with 4 hand crews (total of 80 people) and air support. The additional crews are expected to begin to arrive Mon (11/28) and early Tue (11/29).

· Park Service fire crews, Gatlinburg Fire Department, and Tennessee State Forestry Department have provided additional equipment and support to the fire at Twin Creeks.

· National Park Service fire crews and local fire departments are working on suppression efforts to ensure public safety and to protect facilities throughout the area.

Weather Conditions

· Fire conditions continue to change rapidly as the day continues. The park continues to experience very dry conditions with relative humidity less than 50%. As of 1:00 pm Mon (11/28) the park recorded average wind speeds of 20 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. The forecast is for wind speed to increase this afternoon. Fire growth is expected.

· Because of extreme wind conditions on Monday, air crews are unable to fly to view the fires or drop water in suppression efforts.

· Rain is forecasted for Monday evening which could aid in the suppression efforts but extreme wind gusts of up to 85 mph are being predicted for Monday night.

Safety

· Several park roads, trails, campsites and shelters are closed for safety. For a complete list of updated closures, please visit the park website.

· A maximum of 29 people were identified as potentially being in the closed backcountry area of the park. They were notified via the Backcountry Reservation’s warning system of the fire and subsequent closure. All of the backcountry shelters and campsites in the closure area are closed and all reservation holders for the upcoming week have been notified.

· Due to erratic winds, the fire is very unpredictable. State and local fire departments are working in partnership to respond as needed to potential threats to private properties along the park boundaries including Gatlinburg and Pittman Center.

· Air quality in the area has been affected and is unhealthy for the Sevier County section of the park and adjacent areas. 

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park received notice of a fire 150 yards behind the Twin Creek Picnic Pavilion off Cherokee Orchard Road at approximately 11:35 a.m. today, Nov. 28. National Park Service firefighters and the Gatlinburg Fire Department have responded to the area. The Tennessee Division of Forestry is also responding to the area to stage equipment for use as needed. All non-fire park service personnel have been evacuated from the nearby Twin Creeks Science Center as a precaution.

At this point, it is unknown if the fire near Twin Creeks is a spot fire associated with the Chimney 2 Fire or if it is an independent ignition. Due to continued erratic winds, the fires are very unpredictable and more fire growth is expected. State and local fire departments have been alerted to respond as needed to potential threats to private properties along the park boundaries including Gatlinburg and Pittman Center.

The park will hold an update on all park fire activity at 2:00 pm at the Park Headquarters building. For a complete list of road, trail, campsite and shelter closures, please visit the park website.

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Twin Creeks Fire Evacuation

A press release from the City of Gatlinburg stated that Gatlinburg Fire officials reported a spot fire in the Twin Creeks area of the national park that, combined with the low humidity and the windy conditions, have created a threat to the Mynatt Park Neighborhood. The Fire Department is making preparations to protect the Mynatt Neighborhood. Gatlinburg Police Officers are going door to door asking residents to voluntarily evacuate to the Red Cross Evacuation Shelter set up at the at the Gatlinburg Community Center located at 156 Proffitt Road. Residents needing transportation to the shelter may request assistance by calling from the Gatlinburg Police Department at 865-436-5181.

The National Park Service reports more fire growth in the park over the next 8 hours with the potential for spot fires to form outside of the fire area. Gatlinburg Fire Department will continue to monitor the situation and the Tennessee Division of Forestry has staged equipment in the Mynatt Park community.

The National Park Service issued an Air Quality Advisory in effect for November 28, due to smoke. Concentrations of particulate matter from smoke along with the strong winds from the south has exceeded the human health standard and is expected to remain at these levels today for park visitors and staff. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory and pulmonary disease are at risk. People should refrain from strenuous or prolonged physical outdoor activities and limit exposure.

The Gatlinburg Fire Department will continue to monitor the situation. City and National Park Service officials will hold a briefing at 4:00pm at Fire Department Headquarters at 1230 East Parkway, Gatlinburg.

--Marci Claude, Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau

Air Quality Advisory Issued

Earlier today, the NPS issued an Air Quality Advisory due to the fires.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have issued an air quality advisory. The air quality today is unhealthy for the Sevier County section of the park and adjacent areas, especially in the Gatlinburg area due to heavy smoke from the nearby Chimney 2 Fire.

Concentrations of particulate matter from smoke along with the strong winds from the south has exceeded the human health standard and is expected to remain at these levels today for park visitors and staff. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory and pulmonary disease are at risk. People should refrain from strenuous or prolonged physical outdoor activities and limit exposure.

The fire currently poses no immediate threat to structures at LeConte Lodge or any areas outside of park boundaries including Gatlinburg, Pittman Center, or Cosby facilities.

Park Closes Roads and Trails due to Chimney 2 Fire

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have closed Newfound Gap Road, Cherokee Orchard Road, Elkmont Road, and several trails due to the Chimney 2 Fire. The fire has grown to approximately 500 acres in size overnight due to extreme, sustained winds over 20 mph. National Park Service fire crews are focusing on suppression efforts to ensure public safety and protect park facilities at locations such as Chimneys Picnic Area.

The fire is currently moving northeast, burning primarily along the ground layer through duff and leaf litter. Gusting winds have caused the fire to spot across the ridges in the Chimney Tops and Bullhead Ridge areas. On Sunday, November 27, three helicopters dropped water throughout the area to help suppress the fire over the extremely steep, rough terrain. Additional ground firefighters were also requested to help with suppression efforts in anticipation of predicted winds for Monday afternoon.

Backcountry areas are unsafe for travel and the following trails and backcountry campsites are currently closed until further notice. Closed Backcountry Trails include Chimney Tops, Road Prong, Huskey Gap, Sugarland Mountain, Rough Creek, Little River, Cucumber Gap, Jakes Creek, Miry Ridge, Goshen Prong, Old Sugarlands, Bullhead, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Brushy Mountain, Trillium Gap, Baskins Creek, Porters Creek, and Grapeyard Ridge trails. Closed Backcountry Campsites include 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, Mt. Le Conte shelter, and Mt. Collins shelter.

The cause of the fire near Chimney Tops appears to be human caused and is under investigation. If anyone has information regarding the origin of this fire, or other fires in the park, please call the park’s Tip Line at 865-436-1580.