SUNDAY NIGHT: A wildfire burning in a resort area outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee has destroyed more than 30 large rental cabins since Sunday evening. Officials say the fire has been contained and is not expected to spread.
Firefighters responded Sunday afternoon to a wildfire that eventually spread to about 260 acres and forced about 200 evacuations. About 100 firefighters from 30 fire departments fought the wildfire that destroyed more than 59 cabins and buildings near the resort town of Pigeon Forge. Fifty-nine out of 138 cabins are beyond repair at Black Bear Ridge Resort. Several propane tanks also exploded in the area during the fires.
The Tennessee National Guard sent helicopters to drop water from a nearby lake on the fire. High winds caused problems for helicopters fighting the fire. High winds created challenges for helicopters. Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters made about 60 tripos to Douglas Lake to bring in water to drop on the fires.
Heavy rains helped extinguish the fire Monday, with only about five acres burning Monday night.
Two minor injuries were reported related to the fire.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency declared a state emergency Monday morning to make resources available, according to Dean Flener, a TEMA spokesman.
A separate wildfire fire was extinguished at Dollywood on Saturday night but park officials said that fire would not affect the season opening this upcoming weekend.
More than 50 cabins destroyed at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Google Street view and Google Satellite images near Black Bear Cub Way where the wildfire allegedly starged (location points not precise) …
See also …
cityofpigeonforge.com
Fire down to less than an acre, evacuation soon to be lifted
