who caused the gatlinburg fires?

Our house sat below the road about 30 feet. Brush fires spread across multiple counties this afternoon in Southwest Florida due to high winds. Fire kills 1, destroys businesses in downtown Gatlinburg, Tenn Back home in West TN, when tornado warnings were active in a particular area there were loud sirens that went off. This was part of our retirement plan and now all we have left is a lot, we lost a lot of money that we will never be able to recuperate. All three incidents have a common denominator. We got a text message. Vincent Gabrielle, Knoxville News Sentinel. Honor those who have risked much to help, indeed. I am not holding my breath. The perfect firestorm. 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 . I would like to express that there are sincere and dedicated folks working for the National Park Service. We were there from May until early November. To repeat what you have already said, people on the mountain especially Chalet Village north, no longer feel safe . 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. Those decisions had to be made with the best information available at the time not what we now know in post incident critique. This should be placed firmly on the shoulders of the Park Service, Cassius Cash, Superintendent and the City and County. Even though they are showing people receiving checks the day they apply, this was not the case for him. But the condition of the fuel was also important since it happenedduring what the National Weather Service (NWS) calls exceptional drought conditions. But the pickup trucks I encountered were full of wildfire firefighters, inside the City of Gatlinburg. I would like to know if the same two kids are also responsible for the first Chimney fire? I bet someone of you one here would sing a different tune if you loss a big chunk of your retirement because of someone incompetence. The wildfire began burning in a remote location of the park (Chimney Tops) in steep terrain with vertical cliffs and narrow rocky ridges, making access to the wildfire area . You certainly got it right when you said that sometimes government does not listen and it takes a loud voice. It is written by Stephanie Sweeney, whose house was off the Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The miracle is that more people did not Even life-long locals said they had never seen rhododendren wither up before. Millions of dollars will be spent recovering and mitigating the after effects of this human caused and exasperated wildfire. The report said the fire was an . Thank you for making a point of the fact that we are all human beings with faults by design so that we need each other to succeed and survive. After action reports with ample opportunity for community input led to better pre-fire management and intra-agency coordination of resources. Often times in seeking to take out a person, the real root causes go unaddressed, and sometimes that includes some people taking the fall for decisions of others that were major contributing factors. There could be traffic jams. It is the duty of the people and Congress to maintain and voice our concerns and opinions to where check and balances work. There is much opportunity in the Eastern Appalachians to better prepare citizens, towns , leaders and firefighters; To create more fire aware and safe communities. Not because I am a teller of fortune. These so called means of helping people out is a lie. The Park Superintendent did not want to risk the lives of NPS fire crews with the Chimney Tops Fire 2; and that is to be respected. It was the hottest summer we ever felt. It just so happens that at this time hundreds of fires were subsequently being started all around the south! We listened to local TV news at home which reported voluntary evacuations for Mynatt Park after fire was reported in the Twin Creeks area. Fire erupts on both side of Highway 441 between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. We told them the fire was coming. GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) - On Friday, Gatlinburg city officials released a report detailing the downtown fire on Oct. 9 that killed one person and injured another.. This would explain why they are all covering for each other. The two juveniles who set a fire are not alone in this. Our Gatlinburg Inn was built on family and community. Below is the stateof access to the fire area, as reported by the IMT: The National Park is closed from the Gatlinburg Entrance to Smokemont near Oconaluftee (US 441, Newfound Gap) and Little River Road from Sugarlands Visitor Center to Townsend. Instead simply took pictures on their phone, 3. There are hundreds of hemlock skeletons heading north from Chimney Rock. By NPS rules a watch should have been kept on the fire overnight Sunday, but such did not happen. We spent Thanksgiving there with our family, who left on Sunday. Hemlocks standout on aerial photos because the limbs grow in a spiral pattern around the tree. I was in the area hiking November 21 and there was no smoke coming from the Chimneys area. U.S. Park Service (again) and Thanksgiving. With that all happening before lunch. We strive to use real facts, not alternative facts, on Wildfire Today. Published: Dec. 24, 2022 at 10:17 AM PST GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) - On Friday, Gatlinburg city officials released a report detailing the downtown fire on Oct. 9 that killed one person and. 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 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. A little later the local TV news reported the fire had crossed the road and was headed up the mountain behind the Park Vista. What really was going on here? Unfortunately this isnt always the case. May God look out for all of you in your time of loss. 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 have to assume that the city of Gatlinburg felt that since my road was county property that I was on my own. Perhaps he needs a bit of prompting to remind him that the public will not forget what happened. In late 2016, wildfires . However, they are using a Super Tanker to douse the flames going on down there. I know its good and natural periodically to let forest fires burn, but under the extreme drought conditions in this area, I was uneasy that fires werent being put out. I certainly agree there are definitely consequences for our actions, for some more than others. I look forward to seeing the report when it comes out. I can name 14 people who deserved much better! 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. Whether it be a resources, financial, training, bias, discriminatory, knowledge, failure to support, equipment or other systemic, human, data or other failures; we often seek to put the blame on any one or a few of the workers when the real root of the problems lies in systemic, resource or other human interaction issues and decisions made by others seemingly unconnected to the immediate event. On Friday, Gatlinburg city officials released a report detailing the downtown fire on Oct. 9. Will there be an independent, non-federal agency, through,unbiased, unedited final incident management and serious accident investigation? Local officials dont seem to learn from past experiences, nor plan well for possible dangers. This goes all the way to our Congress and irresponsible, blind, budget cutting exercises. What Caused The Gatlinburg Fire - BikeHike It was Congress that adjourned for the holidays without passing a bill to fund forest fire fighting efforts. They were flying water drops on Sunday with the equipment available (National Guard choppers). I repeat The NPS and the Fire Chief of Gatlinburg should have started fighting the Chimney Tops 2 fire aggressively the day it was discovered. This time it is not firefighters but civilian deaths. The excellent Park folks seemed to just monitor it, and it resolved itself. Click here. Things are changing slowly, and the human factors are unfortunately changing at a much slower pace than the climate and other socio-economic factors. Impressive. Increasing cloudiness and strong southerly winds on Monday ahead of the next storm system. People died and lost so much and that is absolutely tragic! I had these thoughts: if fire spreads from Chimney Tops and starts coming towards Gatlinburg, people are going to be getting gas and getting out. Good points about differentiating between prescribed fire and the wildfire. This data from Indian Grave was not too far offthe forecast issued the day before. For example politicians far away from the event make decisions regarding funding, resources and operations. Who can or will hold them accountable for their part in this tragedy? One good place, James, to view an area after a devastating wildfire is adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway in and around the 418 milepost-the Graveyard Fields/ Shining Rock Wilderness areas. However, by the time a federal judge dropped the charges six months later, some had lost focus on the fire. Not the best plan but the safest. GALLATIN, Tenn. (WTVF) Wildfires have ravaged Sevier County six years after deadly fires destroyed parts of Gatlinburg. How the Historic Gatlinburg Fires Happened; a Humble Start - GovTech I visited Gatlinburg on a trip to Asheville NC, in 1980. 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. 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. The truck was filled with firefighters. True, our firefighters and 1st responders put their lives in harms way and we should respect them; and yet distinguish these folks from officials who are undoubtedly making bad calls/decisions. A lot of personnel put forth heroic efforts to save lives and we should all be grateful for that. I can tell you that within the week prior to this fire in the Greenbriar section of the GSMNP, I hiked on trails rustling through leaf litter that came up to my mid shins. For the most part, the issues are with the Upper Brass. Report: Gatlinburg fire caused $7 million in damages Humans will never be able to control or suppress all unwanted fires-structure, chemical or wildland. At 10AM we drove to Sevierville to buy more materials (to eventually add to the bonfire). Once the winds came on day 5 or 6, there was nothing anyone could do. According to Ms.Schroer, firefighters walked up the Chimney Tops Trail to the top of the hill to size it up. Our forest service guys have been very busy with hand efforts, running dozers in our hazardous terrain and with aircraft. She may have chosen poor timing, and perhaps not the best method of tackling the issues, but nonetheless we need to start asking the tough questions without being so offended and then take a good hard look at the issues, and how they can be resolved. I viewed aerial photos of that area over the past 10 years (on USGS website). At 3:00PM I convinced my husband to call the Gatlinburg Fire Dept. Nearby businesses feel the same. So they were more concerned about NPS structures than our homes and lives? She said I dont think its necessary for you to leave home with children and dog at this point. Photos: Fire in Gatlinburg, Tennessee | Photo Galleries | herald Much needed rainfall is expected on Monday with additional rainfall possible through Wednesday. You are aware that Bill Gabbert the Editor of Wildfire Today spent a large part of his fire carrier with the Park Service where I believe he was served on a nationwide Type I IMT. The facts are clear that this was not the appropriate action taking during the initial stages of the Chimney Top 2 wildfire. Like hell he did. Being an avid mountain hiker, I had seen evidence of fires from decades ago (Graveyard Fields being a macro example, but most prior fires in the forest were just like the ones this fall floor duff and fallen dead wood). The fire resulted in the deaths of 14 people and more than $500 million in damage, with firefighting costs of more than $7 million. Managers may need to keep resources in reserve for initial attack on new fires rather than a Hit it with all you have the Moment it breaks out. strategy. I dont understand, but I dont judge. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the GFD, Gatlinburg Police Department, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Unfortunately its the home owners that are taking the hit and I think it should be them. Person killed in downtown Gatlinburg fire identified. 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. Honor. You can see in the leaf pattern around it how a strong gust pushed up against the side of the house. Those strong southerly winds had been forecast a good two days before the fire broke through into the developed areas. What authority does NPS have outside GSMNP? Suddenly a fire truck from Harriman came careening around the corner and headed up Turkey Nest Road. The needle suffered extensive damage and was closed for three years. I ran other errands and stopped by cabin to unload groceries before picking boys up from school. High winds were to start soon and rain was 5 hours away as indicated by radar. She said smoke had been super heavy. No one wanted the castrophe that resulted. 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. The identities of the three killed have not been released . One indicator of drought and its effect on how wildfires burn is the Keetch-Byram Drought Index(KBDI). Why the complacency? This would help the owners defray some costs so they can rebuild. I doubt it as the experience there is of fast moving potentially devastating fires. Why hasnt the NPS mentioned this first fire of the 14th? Even though I am located adjacent to the National Forest lands on 3 sides, I cannot invite them onto my property to help me lessen the fuel load proximal to my home. Take care and hang in there. night at 9pm when mom said there was evacuation notice on TV. Holding the responsible people accountable is the only course of action that honors what was lost. Kelly, Lloyd and anyone else that had home and/or businesses losses from the fire, tell everyone involved to write and/or call the governors office about what is going on. The Knox News timeline alone has enough info for several indictments. The remains of 745 Main Street in Buffalo on Thursday, March 2, 2023., where a fire broke out on Wednesday . It is likely that spotting did keep the ground fire spreading into the areas where the homes were, and certainly on the southern edge of town it was the primary ignition source, but I am still skeptical that the homes to the north of town were ignited that way. Lots of fires getting controlled, crews pulling off and the new fuel falling and all back ablaze. So sometime during the night as we now know everything burned down. There are A lot of cheap seats in the arena filled with people who never venture onto the floor. Crews working a Gatlinburg structure fire that began early Sunday morning discovered a body. A fire burning under those conditions would likely burn more intensely, have a rate of spread faster than normal, and have more resistance to control. I hope that EM officials and local planning officials reconsider what and how structures are rebuilt in that area. At least one of them drove up the street below our house and parked there for about an hour. What about helicopters dumping water? Maybe a second year of drought? Bob, I know where youre coming from. What is unconstitutional here is that if this first fire of the 14th is under investigation, then certain parties have committed obstruction of justice. It works like an Amber Alert to people who download the app and sign up. If Knox media wanted to go after the NPS or someone else wanted them to, it is possible that even their timeline and investigation is slanted. It upset a lot of locals, but many lauded it. Who caused the fire in Gatlinburg? Digression from Comment Thread This makes no logical sense. It must have been Sunday, because a Type 1 team came in on Tuesday. A guy in the red pickup rolled down his window and said You have to get out of here! My husband and I turned around, drove back to the Parkway and out the Spur to Pigeon Forge. The Seiver County Medical Examiner's office identified the man as 54-year-old Joe Martin Bates, according to the City of Gatlinburg. In addition, the valley above Gatlinburg, drained by LeConte Creek, has had enormous numbers of dead hemlock standing and fallen. Why the Monday morning quarterbacks seems to always get it right, while those in the game make the errors and the scores, winning and losing. 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.. Those with information are urged to contact the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017 or the GFD at 865-436-5112. We probably wont want to attribute 14 deaths to a non-native insect infestation, but in the end, can we say it exacerbated the situation? What caused the Gatlinburg wildfire? - al.com I learned so much from the Incident Management Team websites for the various big fires in the mountains (Cohuttas, Joyce Kilmer, Standing Indian, Boteler, Tellico, Party Rock, Pinnacle Mountain). Visited Gatlinburg for the first time in Oct 2016. It was pretty frightening. Where is his accountability? Id just like to ask folks to think about If prior experience of fires in the region may have betrayed fire managers this time. I know for a fact that all humans are not as tuned into Nature as others. You may have a point regarding lawsuits, reported actions and actual actions. Also important is accountability, so is teaching, learning and experience, so is action, so is on and on. Not just putting out the fires, but restoring the forest and trails afterward. Watch This is Now, live from the Hawaii News Now Digital Center, weekdays on KHNL at 12 p.m. and on all of our streaming platforms. If they do work as a pair, do they set multiple fires in the same area? I was nervous about it. Considering the record of wind gusts between 5-6pm and that the fire had jumped US 441, NPS calling Gburg Fire Dept. There is simply too much BS. Thanks for your rundown on the fire Bill. 1 Dead in Gatlinburg Fire That Affected Travel to Smokies That didnt happen here. But when it's close to home, the sadness and concern of those affected is ten-fold in the worry department. One person was found dead in the rubble of a fire that broke out in downtown Gatlinburg early Sunday morning. Brought mine in from Texas. Superintendent Cash says the NPS has no jurisdiction to issue evacuations for the City of Gatlinburg. I always come back to that groupthink mentality, the ladder of inference, the been there done that mode, the failure/fear to act, and thats how weve always done it thinking; all part of how our unconscious brain works without our conscious intervention and critical thinking skills. It is important to look at many facets, evidence and root cause studies so that the issues can be resolved. It is very steep terrain, I would estimate about a 65 degree incline, but it is not easy to fall to your death there. The fire could have been stopped over the weekend if proper procedures had been followed. Above: The Drought Monitor issued November 29 showed Exceptional Drought, the highest category, for the Gatlinburg area and large sections of Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It would make suppression efforts difficult, but a fire break could have been constructed around the original slow-moving fire in the early days. No pre-evacuation notice was sent so citizens could be ready to depart. It was about 11:30AM when we got to downtown Gatlinburg, where I took photos of the heavy on the Parkway in town. So many unanswered questions? The chain reaction that if un-inhibited can create the perfect storm, block the perfect solutions or that can lead to the ignition of possibility and opportunity. Copyright 2022 WVLT. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Both east and west forks of the Pigeon River. Will Lessons Learned fade into distant short-term US fire management history archives once again. Great job on this website, it is very informative and I recommend it to everyone in the business. He has had to struggle with the untimely death of his very healthy and active in younger retirement parents but both of us having been an EMS and fire service, he is of the opinion just as I am that the NPS as well as the Gatlinburg fire chief and the city and county officials have the most of blood on their hands . 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. When did Gatlinburg burn . Alice Hagler, who went missing at Chalet Village, was identified Wednesday night by her son Lyle Wood, who said his mother's body had been found "in the ruins of her home, her life taken by a. So who would you blame the people that died, wildlife and homeowners. Jim Renfro, the air quality specialist for GRSM, said the strongest wind gust recorded at Cove Mountain was 87 mph at 9 p.m. on Monday. We waited as the days passed until we could go and see if ours had burned. I am astounded at the amount of information, expertise, warning, and awareness of imminent danger was present and available in this situation. Do we need to learn from it. My vacation cabin in Gatlinburg burn to the ground on November 28. The governor needs to hear that, as well. OF COURSE the dead hemlocks (and spruces and firs) are changing the picture for fire danger.

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