Be sure to bring valid forms of identification showing name and address of residence or business inside Gatlinburg. The lawsuits from an event like Gatlinburg could go on for decades. The radio conversation was fairly early in the day as I recall, maybe 7:30-8:00 am. WBIR is going to interview me as soon as two weeks from now regarding how I was taken for $120,000 by a crooked contractor that I was hooked up with by a log home firm. I am not convinced that all of what is considered to be the Chimney Tops 2 fire is. Things are changing slowly, and the human factors are unfortunately changing at a much slower pace than the climate and other socio-economic factors. I was afraid to go into Park with boys. Frederick County, MD tanker explosion leaves 1 dead; Shuts down part of I hope they end up being involved in the biggest lawsuit anyone has ever seen! The American publics outcry owe that much to the those whom lost loved ones, disrupted lives, destroyed both human property and natural resources in Gatlinburg, Tennessee during the Chimney Top 2 wildfire, November, 2016. Gatlinburg Fire 2016: The Start. In this case, there were no firefighters in a position to take direct action. Questions are powerful tools, but only when we allow them to be asked, we receive them with an openness and willingness to be vulnerable, and seek to answer them openly and without fear of reprisal. He asked them how or who we could contact to get emergency information. Citing the steep terrain and the safety of firefighters, fire managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) decided not to take direct action on the fire which would entail constructing fireline along the edge of the fire to remove the fuel that allows it to spread. The learning system of resolution. I love the mountains, but can I feel safe again? It is my understanding this first fire was at or near the summit in the immediate vicinity of the 2nd fire which unfortunately devastated Gatlinburg. The wildfires caused millions of dollars in damage. The report said the fire was an accident and caused around $7 million in damages. That seems to be confirmation that the fire had crossed 441 early in the day. On-the-ground fire suppression activity took place Monday when firefighters took defensive action to protect structures at a nearby GRSM picnic area. Why are there not more prescribed and controlled burns being conducted? 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. 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. It appears that only TEMA has the authority to give a notice over multiple counties, but they didnt take the lead until Monday night, after the fact. I only lost my house, but someone has to speak the truth about what did/didnt happen that day/night. People that I know said that not implementing fire suppression is exactly what they should have done, so we can agree to disagree. Who will accuse and then fire then? Remembering the Gatlinburg Wildfires five years later - WBRC All three incidents have a common denominator. and last updated 4:48 AM, Apr 05, 2022. Earlier on Tuesday, media reported that a man was arrested for setting three fires that spread into a 300-acre fire in. It certainly should be addressed, by We, the People. Some of the drainages where the managers hoped to stop the fire were a half mile away. Two Hawaii police departments are making moves to beef up incentives as recruiting efforts grow more competitive. Lose their jobs over this? Very well put Mari. From what I understand, the adelgid spreads from tree to tree via the ground, which is why young hemlocks with smooth bark are rarely infested with adelgid. Ten people were hospitalized after a Spirit Airlines plane bound for Orlando, Florida, made an emergency landing in Jacksonville due to a fire onboard, according to officials. Wednesday, November 23, the day the fire started. My question to the Deputy Super: If the Chimney Tops Fire 2 of Nov 23rd to 28th, 2016 could not have been extinguished before the winds came; and there was plenty of time to act before the winds came; then how come GSMNP fire crews apparently extinguished the first Chimney Tops Fire of Nov 12/13th, 2016? With the drought conditions this would have acted as a flammable liquid would with explosive ignition and then been carried easily by the prevailing strong winds. Tennessee wildfire near Gatlinburg prompts evacuations of 11,000 homes This fire season is a perfect example of why we do not need to lynch and discard those who have erred but gained highly valuable experience in the process. I have a photo I took from the Walmart parking lot looking south that shows how smoky it was in Pigeon Forge. We had hiked to the Chimneys for the view many times it was easy to see the wind being funneled down from there to Gatlinburg just like an invisible whitewater river. Anyone who has toured the hillsides where most of the homes that were destroyed would know immediately how difficult evacuations would be. 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. I can only hope that the actions are being undertaken somewhere and by the decision-makers and leaders to think and act differently. The winds were getting stronger. Tom. A map posted with the Fire Information sign dated November 27 showed that the park hoped to stopthe fire before it crossed the bottom of drainages on the west, north and east sides, and the Chimney Tops Trail to the south. Chimney Tops 2 Fire - National Park Service Did the 14th fire discreetly burn in the duff amid rock cervices? When two juveniles were arrested on December 7 and charged with aggravated arson, many people assumed they had the answer. The report stated the roof started to collapse, and the building was deemed too unsafe to work inside. If the new location isnt in Gatlinburg, it will definitely be in Sevier County. First of all I was very concerned when the wildfires started over in North Carolina, in some of the National Forest that border Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It just so happens that at this time hundreds of fires were subsequently being started all around the south! Not every fire manager gets the benefit of a meteorologist in your hip pocket, but there are many good weather websites available. Unfortunately, Im not optimistic about the inter-agency review. I agree that there needs to to be a change of attitude about climate change, wildfire potential in the east, an adaptation to changing conditions and a throwing out of the holding on to the been there done that, know all there is to know, seen this before thinking and the holding onto a world that used to be. Multiple businesses were destroyed in the flames, totaling an estimated $7 million in damage. May God look out for all of you in your time of loss. I responded that the climate is changing, and so are other related situations, and there will be. Ms. Schroer told us that additional firefighters were ordered on Sunday. Chile is nearly a third world nation. The facts are clear that this was not the appropriate action taking during the initial stages of the Chimney Top 2 wildfire. We went to West TN for Thanksgiving Holidays and came back home to Gatlinburg on Sunday. Watch the pride and ego firefighters: youll never outmatch Gods elements. 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. When boys and I got back home around 3:45, the winds were beginning to pick up and branches were beginning to fall. Another example from my own experience which has been rocked by bias and blatant failure to receive appropriate support and assistance when asked for; causing issues to occur that were later simply blown way out of proportion with conspired lies in order to protect and cover up the real underlying issues and people. The city said crews working the structure fire that . That didnt work out. 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. Out east our experience is usually ground fire with relatively less risk of widespread destruction. These fires were allowed to cook with little or no suppression action. They had no sirens or Claxons blaring, no shouting to evacuate thru their grill mounted speakers. NPS manager Cassius Cash said the NPS didnt have the authority to order an evacuation (how about recommending a pre-evacuation status so the public was ready to evacuate if needed?). I am positive that for anyone who gives of themselves to protect and serve will forever be haunted by that far more than anyone of us can expect to hold them accountable by lynching. We are to be stewards of the land. Our forest service guys have been very busy with hand efforts, running dozers in our hazardous terrain and with aircraft. Being that were neighbors with these people, its people that we love. We were still asleep when it happened. So my husband called the Gatlinburg policy department with the same questions and got the same answers. I hounded the Knox News editor for a followup article around Dec. 19. My boys and I do not have images of wildfires that we would have seen had we waited to leave home. Contingency plans for how to evacuate the entire town, regardless of the specific hazard, were not well thought out. All rights reserved. Death toll from Tenn. wildfires rises to 14 - CBS News This was done to simply to avoid tort liability claims even though a claim was filed; and to avoid accountability. Ive ranted about the comparison to how Chimney Tops and Gatlinburg was handled by GSMNP and TEMA. 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. Mike I appreciate what you said about a time and season for prescribed/monitored fire, and we need prescribed fire in the toolbox. But it is very important to point out that the fire that burned into Gatlinburg was never a prescribed fire. Stantons car was full of gas and only has liability insurance. Yet if no one raises cain about it, things will be rebuilt with no regard for such safety factors. In total GFD crews, in addition to, Pigeon Forge Fire Department, Sevierville Fire Department, Sevier County Ambulance Service and Pittman Center Fire Department assisted in extinguishing the blaze. Thought among the locals is that officials didnt want to lose the post-holiday weekend crowd and revenue. At least seven people have died and dozens have been hospitalized in wildfires in Tennessee that have ravaged a popular tourist town and forced thousands from their homes. The diff. The report concluded that the fire was an accident; however, officials said the investigation was limited because the building was not structurally sound. His parents died in the fire in Gatlinburg . Accusations were abundant. Basically telling the press, the public and the injured families to go to hell. Damage was estimated at more than $500 million, according to Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. It was very low on gas and fully covered with insurance. There is much to delve into in resolving the causative factors of this disaster and the fire and park service are only a part of that equation. Excellent points, Jody. 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??? Late Monday afternoon the Gatlinburg Fire Department began informing some residents of a voluntary evacuation. Many locals are saying the lack of evac was income driven. In Gatlinburg, smoke and fire caused the mandatory evacuation of downtown and surrounding . Even this article seems to skirt around some of the issues and miss the depth of analysis it needs to effect meaningful change. I am astounded at the amount of information, expertise, warning, and awareness of imminent danger was present and available in this situation. Gatlinburg businesses look to rebuild after massive fire We couldnt go up Motor Nature Trail so we went back to Cherokee Orchard Road. Without sufficient safe zones being created in advance each road was easily blocked either by fire or debris. But, well see what the investigation comes up with. On the evening of the fire, I was monitoring tornadic storms across northern Mississippi because my family were driving to It is important to look at many facets, evidence and root cause studies so that the issues can be resolved. These folks do this often in situations in which they have little control over much of the situation or outcomes. 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. Fire kills 1, destroys businesses in downtown Gatlinburg, Tenn Things dont change unless people stand up and make them change. Like hell he did. Report: Gatlinburg fire caused $7 million in damages. Waited a month to report this event and turn over the pictures they took to forestry officials! You said in your post what I have been thinking. With that all happening before lunch. I was in my cabin on 28 November and barely made it out alive. Thank-you Bill for your through and in depth analysis of this wildfires chain-of events. 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. If an aircraft will be en route to a lit helibase or airport, they can drop 30 minutes after sunset then fly to the lit facility. Those strong southerly winds had been forecast a good two days before the fire broke through into the developed areas. So who would you blame the people that died, wildlife and homeowners. It was as if time had passed with no motivational disaster to spur this awareness, at least not in my local community. Firefighting resources assigned to the fire include 25 hand crews, 61 engines, 6 helicopters, and 2 dozers, for a total 780 personnel. What about firefighter safety? WTF were they letting the planes in Chattanooga sit idle? Why hasnt the NPS mentioned this first fire of the 14th? The reason that is a point is IMT has experience far beyond any fire teams in east TN or GSMNP, especially with wind-driven wildfires. Yet, at that very time, citizens were asking city employees and fireman if they should evacuate (well documented in the local news). For reference, 600 or above would indicate severe drought andincreased wildfire occurrence. Updated: Dec. 25, 2022 at 6:15 PM PST. One option could be helicopter fire repellers to repel into the fire and make an assessment of risk. 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.. This makes no logical sense. Bob headed our way. Thanks for adding more good insight. Ive been told by others that they were waiting for the rain to move in based on the forecast and it didnt arrive when they expected so in the meantime they did nothing. Google and Bing maps give a pretty good idea of the expanse of dead hemlocks. I turned on tv to see if there were warnings of any sort. I think this is more often than not the case. Having said that, I used to work on an incident management team whose purpose was to manage what we called years ago, let burn fires. Screenshot from the Knox News video. 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. The Incident Management Teams at Tellico, Rock Mountain and Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock fires had dead hemlocks near the trials knocked down (dynamite, cutting, other means theyre still working on it along the AT). The public cannot sit on their hands and expect anything to change. Bob, I know where youre coming from. The DA in Sevier County has put a gag rule in effect since the get go to protect the teeneagers involved. from Gburg. I told him to go up and park in driveway close to where I wanted to leave the truck and that I would drive truck up. In late 2016, wildfires . And not only they had time to evacuate but I called 911 Monday night on Nov. 28 2016 and ask if there was any evacuation orders for Gatlinburg and was told By The 911 operator no not at this time Later found out the whole place was on fire at the same time I called 911 ( WHY ) was I lied to ? The fire season last year set new records in the state for the expansive area that burned, with more than 4.2m acres (1.7m hectares) scorched by more than 9,900 fires across California. Even so, is it risky to ignite backfire with such extreme fire conditions? Learning for the future is important if it includes changes in policy and procedure.

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