Three Deaths Reported in Gatlinburg Fire, LeConte Lodge and Elkmont Undamaged by Fire

Three people have reportedly died as a result of the wildfires that swept through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Monday night and burned hundreds of structures in and around Gatlinburg, causing the evacuation of over 14,000 residents. Gov. Bill Haslam visited Gatlinburg on Tuesday to survey damage from the fires, which Park officials say have burned more than 15,000 acres. Haslam called it the "largest fire in the last hundred years in the state of Tennessee.

Destroyed structure still on fire. By Scott Frederick.

The identities of those killed have not been released. Three people suffered severe burns and were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville for treatment. They are in critical condition. According to Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters, fourteen people were transported to local hospitals.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Waters worried about the possibility of more fatalities. "We have not been able to get in to all of the areas. We pray that we don't experience any more fatalities," Waters said. More than 2,000 people are staying in shelters in Gatlinburg.

Fire Chief Greg Miller said progress has been hindered by crews encountering downed trees and power poles. Many roads can't be reopened until the blockages are cleared, which makes progress slower. Firefighters are still battling hotspots throughout Gatlinburg, Miller noted.

Crews continue to fight a fire at Westgate Resort.
By Scott Frederick

The fire, which officials say originated from the Chimney Tops 2 fire and was fueled by heavy winds at times topping 87 mph, damaged about 70 structures in the Wears Valley area and 70 structures in the Cobbly Nob area near Pittman Center, along with many businesses and structures in and around Gatlinburg. The Chimney 2 fire had been burning since Nov. 23 and affected Chimney Tops and Bullhead Ridge areas. Many Park roads were closed due to the fire, which is currently of unknown origin. The sudden doubling of wind speeds Monday evening blew embers as far away as a mile, according to Park officials, sparking more fires, which in turn toppled power lines, which sparked even more fires. All of this contributed to the devastation in Sevier County Monday night.

NPS spokeswoman Dana Soehn said the Chimneys fire that sparked the other blazes was "human caused," but didn't give any further details. She said the blaze is under investigation.

Many erroneous reports were making the rounds on Tuesday about the destruction of landmarks, but officials confirmed that Ober Gatlinburg was spared, as was the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, which houses over 10,000 marine animals. A team of marine biologists were escorted by police back into the aquarium Tuesday afternoon to tend to the animals and assess the situation. Most of Gatlinburg's main street businesses were also spared, but surrounding businesses such as the Mountain Lodge Restaurant, several cabins at the Dollywood theme park, and portions of Tree Tops Resort, Westgate Resort and Highland Condomiums received damage as well, as did portions of Chalet Village, and parts of Ski Mountain Road.

LeConte Lodge, a well-known and iconic backcountry hiking destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's Mount LeConte, was spared from the wildfires, according to a press release issued by the National Park Service on Tuesday. NPS officials say the lodging facility at the base of Mount LeConte, and the Elkmont Campground and Historic Districts, sustained no damage from the fire activities in the park on Monday evening. Some Elkmont buildings sustained roof damage from falling trees caused by heavy winds, and some roof repairs will be required.

Destruction caused by the Gatlinburg Fire. By Scott Frederick.

Tomorrow, November 30, the park will turn the fire management operation to the Southern Area Type I Incident Command Team (Dueitt) to manage the ongoing fire activities within the park. This team consists of federal and state interagency team members from across the country who collaboratively manages wildland fire and other incident management activities such as natural disaster relief efforts.

More than 120 Tennessee Army National Guard solders arrived on Tuesday to help Sevier County Emergency Management personnel with transporting first responders and removing light debris, as well as checking on residents affected by the fires. A press release from Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee Adjutant General, said, "We are working closely with the local responders in Sevier and surrounding counties to assist in whatever is required to save lives and property."

All Park facilities are currently closed due to extensive fire activity and downed trees. Park headquarters has no phone service or electricity. Area trails are also closed due to the fire. A ban on campfires and open grills had already been in effect in the Great Smokies since Nov. 15.

Firefighters battling the Gatlinburg fires. NPS

A 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew is in effect in Gatlinburg. A high wind warning was issued by the National Weather Service for Tuesday night into Wednesday afternoon. They predicted lightning and sustained winds of up to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph. Officials feared the forecast - Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner called it "ominous," - and officials worried about fires that continue to smolder being whipped up and spread by heavy winds. Rain is expected in the area by Wednesday morning. Residents in the area were advised to boil water as a precaution.

The City of Gatlinburg has cancelled the "Fantasy of Lights" Christmas Parade that was scheduled for Dec. 2. Most businesses in Pigeon Forge are now open and evacuations are no longer taking place there.

For more information, visit the National Park Service on their website or on social media.
www.nps.gov/grsm
www.Facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainsNPS
www.Twitter.com/GreatSmokyNPS
www.Instagram.com/GreatSmokyNPS

30 Structures Burning in Gatlinburg, Mandatory Evacuations in Place, Affected Schools Closed Tuesday

FROM WBIR NEWS ... GATLINBURG - 12 AM UPDATE: There are currently 30 structures on fire in Gatlinburg as residents and guests evacuate the city.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency says 30 structures are on fire, including a 16-story hotel on Regan Drive and the Driftwood Apartments in Gatlinburg. The wildfire is also at the edge of the Dollywood property. Despite numerous reports that the fire had reached the popular tourist attraction Dollywood, the theme park sent out a statement saying it had not yet sustained any damage.

NBC's Kurt Chirbas tweeted the statement which read, in part:

"Dollywood crews and firefighters are working to protect the park areas adjacent to a fire burning on Upper Middle Creek Ridge. There is no damage at the park at this time.....For the safety of our guests, earlier this evening, resort staff evacuated families staying in 50 rooms staying at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and families staying in the 19 cabins at Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Cabins." WMC Action News 5.

Mandatory evacuations are in place for Mynatt Park, Park Vista and Ski Mountain in Gatlinburg. Evacuations have also been ordered for the north end of Pigeon Forge.

There are no reports of fatalities from the fires, according to TEMA. There is one report of an evacuee suffering a burn injury.

There are reports of downed power lines and trees, TEMA said.

The Tennessee National Guard is deploying personnel to Sevier County to help with clearing debris. The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Department of Transportation are assisting with evacuations and traffic control in the area.

Tennessee's Fire Mutual Aid system is coordinating the arrival of 50 to 60 fire apparatuses from fire departments throughout the area, from as far north as Greeneville and as far south as McMinn County, TEMA said.

11 PM UPDATE: Motorists fleeing wildfires in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge packed roads in and out of the towns Monday night as flames and choking smoke driven by wind swept across the area.

Multiple parts of Gatlinburg including downtown Gatlinburg were being evacuated, fire officials said Monday night.

The town set up an evacuation shelter at the Gatlinburg Community Center at 156 Proffitt Road. An evacuation center also was set up at Rocky Top Sports World near Gatlinburg Pittman High School on Highway 321.

Some areas of Pigeon Forge also were being evacuated including residents and guests located in the areas between traffic light 8 and the Spur, according to spokeswoman Trish McGee.

"Three county school buses are available for emergency transport and are being dispatched as needed to transport those who need to evacuate," according to a statement from McGee.

Farther west, fires also were reported above Wears Valley Road near the Dollar General Store. A viewer sent 10News video of the hillside aflame.

In Gatlinburg, National Park Service and Gatlinburg officials stressed the fire posed a serious threat that would not abate until rains came.

"We urge the public to pray. We urge the public to stay off the highways. The traffic that is on the roads is emergency equipment. If (the public) could just stay home and stay tuned to their local media outlet," Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller said at a 8:30 p.m. press conference.

Residents in the Mynatt Park Neighborhood in Gatlinburg are being asked to voluntarily evacuate due to the threat of wildfire nearby in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Nov. 28, 2016.

In Gatlinburg, other areas under a mandatory evacuation include Mynatt Park Neighborhood, East Foothills Road, Turkey Nest Road and Davenport Road areas. The Savage Gardens areas also is under mandatory evacuation.

Police are going to the area to get people out. City officials urged everyone to get out.

Gatlinburg city officials said high winds were downing power lines, sparking multiple ground fires.

Multiple agencies were responding to the fires in Galinburg including the Knoxville Fire Department. Gatlinburg City Manager Cindy Ogle said she understood the Karns Volunteer Fire Department also was responding.

Fire officials decided about 6 p.m. to impose the evacuation, according to Ogle.

To help with Pigeon Force evacuations, three county school buses were available for emergency transport and were being dispatched as needed to transport those who need to evacuate, according to a release from

The following locations are open and ready to receive those who need shelter: LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge, Pigeon Forge Community Center, Liberty Baptist Church in Wears Valley and Iglesia Cristiana LaDuz De Jesus.

Also open for evacuations: The First Red Bank Baptist Church in Sevierville and First Baptist Church of Sevierville.

Sevier County Schools are closed Tuesday due to the fires, the school district said on its website.

Great Smoky Mountains Park Superintendent Cassius Cash said the fires posed a "very serious situation."

Authorities could not provide an estimate on the total acreage that was burning.

Residents in the Mynatt Park Neighborhood in Gatlinburg are being asked to voluntarily evacuate due to the threat of wildfire nearby in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Nov. 28, 2016. (Photo: Courtesy Nikki Arwood Cochran)

"I know that it's hard to potentially think about losing a home or a place that you've worked your entire life to build, but we are dealing with a situation that is very dynamic," Miller said. "The wind is not helping us. The rain is not here yet."

Authorities are hoping that rain expected Monday night will ultimately douse the spreading wildfires.