Thank you for this excellent synopsis. She replied, Mrs. Bob and Stanton snuck around back roads and made it in a few days earlier than most and found what we were fearing. Those probably did not finish burning for several days. 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. (Credit: Tom Williams), Two people in custody after police chase, manhunt near Warrior & Hayden, Protest held in memory of Glenn Foster Junior, Fire department K-9 dies during search and rescue mission. Im thankful to be tuned in. Thanks for the good fact based, solid coverage of the events leading up to the fire. GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) - Four downtown Gatlinburg businesses are picking up the pieces after a fire Sunday morning destroyed their building. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the GFD, Gatlinburg Police Department, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Are city and county officials learning to use the expensive Motorola radio system that would have allowed various agencies to communicate when cell service went down? Fire those managers! Once again, can fire discreetly smolder in the duff amid rock crevices? I dont understand, but I dont judge. We shouldnt have expected anything else, I dont know what we were thinking. But it is good that you ask questions, and you should expect answers and a demonstration of learning, but you have to give that opportunity, just as you would want. An in depth investigation should be launched and the (ir)responsible parties identified. What are they doing? It was as if time had passed with no motivational disaster to spur this awareness, at least not in my local community. Classic Swiss Cheese risk management fire management failurehave we as a profession learned anything since South Canyon, Yarnell and now Chimney Top 2? As I learned in the first 12 hours what took place there, I realized that there was almost no preparation for the risk of a fire, on any It was a very horrible dream and I had qualms about my trip before I arrived in Branson. Above: Chimney Tops 2 Fire at 9:37 p.m. November 28, 2016 after it had burned into Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Gatlinburg Fire Department crews responded to the scene and received help from Pigeon Forge Fire Department, Pigeon Forge Police Department, Sevierville Fire Department, Pittman Center Volunteer Fire Department, Sevier County Emergency Management Agency, Sevier County Medical Examiners Office and Sevier County Ambulance Services. My husband and I were at our house in Gatlinburg, just north of the Park Vista, on the night of the fire. Suppression actions, especially backfires, causing way more damage to natural resources than the wildfire is doing., First rule of any structure fire or wildfire. Take a look at the Chimney Tops Fire of Nov 14th, 2016 and you really might begin to question what really went wrong here. Would it not be more beneficial to hold accountability by insuring that analysis of cause and effect and learning take place; that change is done where change is needed? The governor needs to hear that, as well. Also. ATF, other agencies search for cause of blaze that claimed life of Buffalo firefighter. They have tied their hands and resources through environmental forestry management. Most of those resources were involved in those ongoing fires and unavailable for immediate response to a small fire, when it was still small. I have to assume that the city of Gatlinburg felt that since my road was county property that I was on my own. There is an old saying he is known for: When government cannot accept criticism from the people, secular authority is no longer a democracy, but a dictatorship (paraphrased). Their lack of extended skill training is apparent. Things are changing slowly, and the human factors are unfortunately changing at a much slower pace than the climate and other socio-economic factors. Shame on you. Our government has been paying these communications companies millions in tax breaks and tax dollars to provide cellular and other affordable services to rural America, and they are failing to do so or providing the services at outrageous rates. 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. I was on the Party Rock fire in NC and our IMET was predicting that storm event 3-4 days before it happened. I convinced my husband to drive back toward our house to see if we could see the fire. of them backing up and saying this isnt our problem we are carrying on just like always. Of course Dollywood and Gatlinburg was virtually unscathed. According to the great gag order, government officials should not be commenting???? You do not hang your child or throw them out for, with good intention making the wrong choices, you teach them and help them to understand the consequences. Our Gatlinburg Inn was built on family and community. We believed the firefighters were going to stop the fire from entering the city. We were there from May until early November. .. bless you all! A true lackadaisical response. Those strong southerly winds had been forecast a good two days before the fire broke through into the developed areas. Shortly after he left, he called my husband to tell him that the road between our house and downtown Gatlinburg was blocked by a crew from Sevier County Electric. Its community and people that have jobs. When two juveniles were arrested on December 7 and charged with aggravated arson, many people assumed they had the answer. When you see more of them completely charred but living trees seemingly untouched that is a sign of both underground burning and how much water the living trees still possessed. Climate change, human, social, political and economic factors are all also a part of this outcome, cause and effect. After the fact they called in helicopters to dump water on the fire which is what they should have done in the first place and didnt, WHY NOT? By the time the troops were called in, it was too late. This is a developing story. City prosecutors have charged a longtime Mililani High School leader with multiple counts of theft. Or in steep cliff terrain it just isnt going to happen, no one on the fire. As it turned out the sprinklers were far above affordable means and way outside the parameters quoted by the NFPA for the cost of a standard sprinkler system so we did not get them. When we reached Turkey Nest Road there was a big white crewcab pickup truck parked in front of Barbaras Real Estate. The Thomas Divide Complex Fire comprises two wildfires the 140-acre Stone Pile Fire and the Cooper Creek Fire, which is estimated to be 170 acres. Would be interesting to dig down to find the ash line (which is probably illegal on federal lands). This is as far as this subject needs to go; for the objective of this site is in regard to wildfire. By the time we got to the Marshalls house it was 6:00 PM and they were watching the news. Accountability is important and paying the price for our decisions is too. Brush fires spread across multiple counties this afternoon in Southwest Florida due to high winds. This lack of serious response is all too obvious. 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. My writing comes from the heart! I just hope, like Jeannine, that fire managers can learn from this tragedy because we really need the tool of prescribed fire in the tool box. All downtown sidewalks reopened as permanent fencing around the building was installed by the property owner following the fire. The terrain was steep, a vertical distance of 1,300 feet from the bottom of the drainages to the top of the hill. All my constructive criticisms are not targeted to Park personnel in general. Only we, the people, the voters, can force change by raising our collective voices by repeatedly demanding the governor and Congress take action now! Copyright 2022 WVLT. Bob had stayed in West TN after Thanksgiving, to work there for a few days before returning home so he wasnt with us. The remains of a business in Gatlinburg, Tenn., smolder on Nov. 29, after a devastating wildfire damaged or destroyed more than 2,000 buildings and killed at least 14 people. Many fire managers in that situation would immediately attack emerging fires very aggressively with overwhelming force, that is, many firefighters on the ground assisted by numerous aircraft dropping water or fire retardant. November 27th, 35 acres. Granted these fires werent inside Gatlinburg, but the fire chief knew full well the potential for catastrophic wildfires in these mountains. Report: Gatlinburg fire caused $7 million in damages. Not to lay blame or punishment but as a real learning tool for improvement of service provision. We are excited to start new memories and get back on the trails. The Knox News timeline alone has enough info for several indictments. The multiple chain of events you refer to is also simple, two juvenile delinquents set the fire, the park service knew it existed and they did absolutely nothing to put it out. I appreciate that fine quality of writing that expresses your thoughts in an easy to read yet structured style that makes sense. There are other variables that are of concern here too, such as area resources that are already low and being taxed by the sheer number of fires occurring in the region, the growth of urban interface among the eastern forests, rugged mountainous terrain and economic restraints. I parked truck right beside a big mound of rip rap that Bob had dumped for lining the ditches on sides of our neighborhood roads, which arent through roads. Hemlocks were mentioned in a number of daily updates on Inciweb because they are basically standing roman candles thanks to the spiral of limbs. 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. Click here. The People have been deceived with a vague and biased investigation regarding this particular bear incident. Humans lostfire won. Authorities have not identified the victim or . I think thats pretty cut and dry and yes its their fault that they didnt at least try and do something. On November 11 some hikers found a fire built in the middle of the trail on brushy mountain trail. I fully understand the financial difficulties of the NPS and with firefighters abroad. People responsible during the initial stages of the Chimney Top 2 wildfire need to be held accountable for violating these basic rules of fire physicsperiod. The public cannot sit on their hands and expect anything to change. If one is growing by experience you keep them moving forward as we all benefit from their learning and experience. It was also unbelievably dry. How far from the Chimney Tops, as the crow flies, were these pictures taken? Excellent points, Jody. On Sunday when GSMNP called in helicopter water drops, there were 3 fire tanker planes sitting on the runway 20 minutes away in Chattanooga (covered in Wildfire Today). As citizens we should be aware of all threats we face and expect our leadership to plan ahead as best they can. I was struck by the daunting task of creating a viable fire-prevention plan in that area of constant tourist turnover, and the way it is laid-out. To successfully allow a fire to burn for a long period of time requires VERY skilled personnel and luck. GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) - One person died and another was injured in a large fire in downtown Gatlinburg Sunday. All of the big trees were gone (although younger trees had been treated and saved). Due to the damage this fire has caused Im sure there will be follow-up effects (and recriminations) for years. Flies north of fire (s) in TN. 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. Not action to punish or lay blame, but to facilitate learning that changes actions. That said I have been an avid backpack or in hiker who has done probably every trail in the Smokies many times over. The fire gutted the entire city block and closed a dozen businesses. I may be alone in thinking that, but I do think the Feds would stand up to local influence. It is to be considered, but verified by other means. We could see the smoke. All rights reserved. The lawsuits from an event like Gatlinburg could go on for decades. Yes my house burnt along with 520 others in North Chalet Village, village no longer but all foundations. (Originally published at 11:04 a.m. MST November 23 . Sorry to hear that you lost your house, but you followed your wits which kept you from getting stuck there by downed trees over the road. Nonetheless, your observations on the 21st indicate that no signs of the 14th fire were present; and if the NPS did fully suppress the first fire, their timeline was undoubtedly non-aggressive to do so. Who knows what the climate will bring next year. I was in the area hiking November 21 and there was no smoke coming from the Chimneys area. I also wanted to let everyone know that the City and County is an example of nepotism at its finest. Lets say the NPS put a crew on it day one in steep inaccessible terrain as they say it was in. The city and the county has always been about one thing. Brian Blanco/Getty. 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. The fire on Sunday caused extensive damage to a block of . So far, this week's tragic Tennessee wildfires have caused at least seven deaths, injured at least 50 more, and damaged or destroyed over 700 structures, a good portion of them in the city of Gatlinburg. I realize some of my questioning is speculative and yet legitimate. Fortunately, Wildfire Today and Knox News had both published detailed timelines about what happened and when, before the Sevier County DA cut off the info flow. My family lives 15 mi. They decided instead to monitor and to identifyon a map areas for indirect containment lines which encompassed 410 acres. NPS officials are looking to avoid tort liability claims, plan & simple. They didnt and now its the property owners problem, they havent offered any clean up assistance, free dumping fees, no permit cost to rebuild, and certainly no financial help. 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. Theres no guarantees that putting a couple hotshot crews with good air support on that fire earlier could have prevented this tragedy, but that would have been more defensible. On Monday, December 5, the Incident Management Team (IMT) on the Chimney Tops 2 Fire that burned from Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) into the Gatlinburg area reported that it has . I turned on tv to see if there were warnings of any sort. It caused a shutdown . Much needed rainfall is expected on Monday with additional rainfall possible through Wednesday.
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