Because we were heading home to Ohio early Tuesday morning, we packed our suitcases and put them in the car. If the NPS backfires were not ignited on the 28th; then they had to be ignited on the 27th a day before the fire broke out. This is from previous questioning of mine from another Wildfire Today article: Team to Begin Chimney Tops 2 Fire: I appreciate your more thorough break down of backfire. Teddy Roosevelt, who as you may know, was instrumental in establishing our national parks. I looked at the NWS Forecast Discussion and told my sister They should order pre-evacuation before the wind gets strong.. Who ever was in charge should loose their job!!! My writing comes from the heart! Neither the NPS nor the city wanted CNN cameras covering a mass evacuation of a town jam packed with tourists on Thanksgiving weekend. We have a mountaintop cabin about 50 miles south of this area. A good example of the kind of human factors that continue to get in the way of better preparedness and change for the good is the backlash in which one reporter from NC received when she asked tough questions of some officials. Granted these fires werent inside Gatlinburg, but the fire chief knew full well the potential for catastrophic wildfires in these mountains. 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. At least one of them drove up the street below our house and parked there for about an hour. The excellent Park folks seemed to just monitor it, and it resolved itself. By the way, I havent seen any local media covering much for the victims since the coverage with Jerry and the pursuit of compensation. Thanks for adding more good insight. We need a growing pool of resources who have gained knowledge and wisdom hat can be applied to future events, not to lessen the pool by throwing out those who failed but are not a failure. 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. I have to assume that the city of Gatlinburg felt that since my road was county property that I was on my own. (Bloomberg) -- Zoom Video Communications Inc. slumped in early trading Friday after abruptly terminating the employment of . This openness which allows for both expression of feeling and diversity of thought and ideas will be what drives our ability to fix the complex issues we are faced with, and to grow as human individuals, groups and nations. 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. Ive learned so much on this blog over the past 6 weeks about how forest fires are managed and fought and Im most grateful for that. Not the best plan but the safest. Thats exactly what I plan on doing and recording the calls so that if they dont take action they an explain to the public why after getting all of these calls with people pleading for them to take action. We strive to use real facts, not alternative facts, on Wildfire Today. They just sat back and watched it burn. Deputy Park Superintendent Jordan Clayton said the initial fire on an area called Chimney Tops, a double peaked ridge line about 4 miles away from Gatlinburg, was caused by a person or. Unfortunately, Im not optimistic about the inter-agency review. If their destination is not lit, they have to land there no later than 30 minutes after sunset. 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. Typically instead of outright termination, the NPS is classic just to relocate the personnel and in some cases give them a promotion to keep them happy and from whistle-blowing; or just live in a delusional world of denial. A temporary evacuation refuge with limited services is located at Max Hasse Community Park . This rain took much of the heat out of the vegetation fire and slowed the spread, but smoke from the burning structures in the communities and smouldering logs in the Park continued to fill the air. Late Monday afternoon the Gatlinburg Fire Department began informing some residents of a voluntary evacuation. Which is why human history keeps repeating itself over and over. Wildfire experts have been warning local government officials about the potential for a fire of this magnitude for years. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new articles by email. There were and continue to be many deaths and fires that occurred in those western areas, and with those IMT expert Teams, that taught hard lessons, and enabled those people to gain experience and become the so called experts in the field. 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 told him my home was on fire and he said they were evacuating everyone,then. After action reports with ample opportunity for community input led to better pre-fire management and intra-agency coordination of resources. So sometime during the night as we now know everything burned down. I was on the phone w them that Mon. Crews working a Gatlinburg structure fire that began early Sunday morning discovered a body. That would mean your timeline of the last water drop would possibly vary 15-45 minutes depending on the helibase location and flight time to the dipsite. 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 Gatlinburg fire that killed 14 people was started by two teenagers dropping lit matches onto the ground along Chimney Tops Trail in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, sources close to the investigation told the Knoxville News Sentinel. We left Monday the 28th around 10:30 A.M. we could smell smoke but our home was fine and so was all of the rest of them in Chalet Village North. Circular holes in the ground spread around the forest floor for no apparent reason, no evidence in sight, no history of mining activity, most of the oldest living trees around the same height/age. 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. Would be interesting to dig down to find the ash line (which is probably illegal on federal lands). I got out of the car and walked up to the side of the pickup truck. Just wondering was it God who drastically cut the federal budgets for NPS, Wildland firefighters and other resources or was that Congress? 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. Would it be wise to implement backfire with such strong winds forecasted on top of exceptional drought and fuels? Anticipating the fire season, firefighting resources (people and equipment) were brought in from around the Southeast and other parts of the country. The Gatlinburg Fire Department was dispatched to the 700 block of Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg at 6:39 a.m. on October 9. You can see in the leaf pattern around it how a strong gust pushed up against the side of the house. I told him there wasnt when I got there at 5 oclock but I could not even see driveways on the way up. I began picking up news stories of the fire in Gatlinburg from as the storm rolled east. CNN A wildfire burning near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Sevier County, Tennessee, has grown to more than 3,700 acres and impacted more than 100 structures, County Mayor Larry. Four downtown Gatlinburg businesses are picking up the pieces, after a fire Sunday morning destroyed their building. And the list goes on. The NPS investigation team has all this information and everything posted on Wildfire Today and a lot of info that was never made public. The windspeed was 1 to 3 mph. I would also hope that we would figure out that such major climate disruptions as the recent drought in the Southeast are getting more common and that human action has helped cause, and can help cure, such disruptions. 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. A spokesperson for the city said the Gatlinburg Fire Department was dispatched to the 700 block of Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg at 6:39 a.m. on October 9. Mr. Cash cant order an evac, but he could have made a recommendation. Question, seek truth and evidence, get to the roots, with the intention to create and apply solutions, not simply hang someone; that is how we grow forward! It was a very horrible dream and I had qualms about my trip before I arrived in Branson. Forecasts were issued each day from November 24 through 27; we could not find one for November 28 the day the fire burned into Gatlinburg. Praying for those residents that have it far worse than I. Maybe a second year of drought? Did the fire have to be so devastating? At 3:00PM I convinced my husband to call the Gatlinburg Fire Dept. I think wildland fire managers should be commended that this fire did not result in a tragic firefighter incident like Yarnell Hills. Every business downtown was closed except for Bubba Gumps. Jeannine, what an awesome, in-depth and thoughtful response. Very good pictures! I hope to remedy that starting now! Bob called. These words are so terribly inadequate but I feel even worse not saying anything at all. On November 23 when the fire was discovered the KBDI was 599, Molly Schroer, a spokesperson for the IMT told us. This year has been crazy, with so many fires happening in Autumn. The Spur or US 441 runs between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in the Smokies. The fire was reported to be near the Twin Creeks Picnic Center at 1130. But very little if any fire suppression activity occurred until Monday, November 28. Also, for the last several decades, NPS policies have allowed these excessive fuels to build. Chile is nearly a third world nation. As a former FF, their claim that they could have never put it out if they tried from day one is BS. Hello Jon, for what its worth, I did some hiking in the Greenbrier area of the GSMNP back in October and didnt notice many dead hemlocks, although The Chimneys area may be different, which I havent hiked in years. Much needed rainfall is expected on Monday with additional rainfall possible through Wednesday. Yes, there had been many fires in the southeast during the 6 to 8 weeks before the fire started in Great Smoky Mountains NP, but it is my understanding that at that time they had diminished and there may have been significant firefighting resources available. Waited a month to report this event and turn over the pictures they took to forestry officials! The helicopter worked until it had to refuel and then two other Type 1 helicopters took its placeuntil dark. Lets just live in denial, honor the government no matter what; and allow history to repeat itself with numerous secular and religious dictators. I hope this video puts people at ease that this fire is. Frankly people should lose their jobs and fault should be placed on their shoulders. None of our fires escaped, in part because we had some very smart, very experienced people in key positions. I agree with the earlier post that if this fire had been in Southern California or other areas subject to devastating fire if it would have been managed differently. People died and lost so much and that is absolutely tragic! Hemlocks were mentioned in a number of daily updates on Inciweb because they are basically standing roman candles thanks to the spiral of limbs. You forgot lack of funding to adequately staff the park. The fire gutted the entire city block and closed a dozen businesses. All rights reserved. However, an event such as the Gatlinburg fires undoubtedly leads to a can of worms that some folks would rather just sweep under the rug. 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. On Wednesday, November 23, 2016 a hiker on the popular Chimney Tops Trail managed to capture a photo of two teenage boys dropping lit matches on the trail despite the current no-burn order in the area. You certainly got it right when you said that sometimes government does not listen and it takes a loud voice. Published: Oct. 11, 2022 at 5:31 PM PDT GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) - Four downtown Gatlinburg businesses are picking up the pieces after a fire Sunday morning destroyed their building. 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. At this time, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation officials were contacted, according to the report. I began to notice people smoking while driving their vehicles when I would be out and about and they would flick burning embers out windows and sometimes throw cigarettes out windows. there is nothing that can address the failure of leadership at every level that contributed to that loss of life. The GSMNP PR person announced at 2:02 pm that fires were expected to grow over the next 8 hours with wind gust of 85 mph. Nothing happens in a vacuum. Things dont change unless people stand up and make them change. Our place was gone. Hit it with all you have the Moment it breaks out. May all the people find peace and forgiveness in the midst of this storm. I am thankful so many are not only opening their eyes here, but taking action and questioning. Of course, the city of From my back ground in fire, safety and as a fire investigator I see the development of a chain of multiple, unusual and totally unexpected events leading up to final blowup. Read more Tennessee Wildfire Cause: Gatlinburg Fires May Have Been Man-Made, Officials Claim is an article from: The Inquisitr News. To echo your statements, the information is out there, a model exists on how to properly do it now its getting the proper training for all of the professionals involved and the public taking the role of accountability watchdogs. Personally, I have already started reconstruction on my cabin but the consensus on Chalet Village north which was 540 cabins and now stands only at 20 remaining Is that about 70% are not rebuilding for a variety of reasons . The body of an unidentified person was found amid the rubble of a downtown section of buildings that. Fire erupts on both side of Highway 441 between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. However, I still wonder why there has been no word from the governor about the post-fire review team he promised. The public cannot sit on their hands and expect anything to change. We are to be stewards of the land. The Gatlinburg Space Needle fire (July 1992) In 1992, a fire destroyed Ripley's Gatlinburg Museum which was, at the time, located at the base of the needle. Damage was estimated at. It is this same type of think tank and diversity we need in reaching a host of solutions to our complexity of problems both in this situation and in all others. 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. Stumps burned into the ground and look like volcano caldera. Shame on you. 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. If one is growing by experience you keep them moving forward as we all benefit from their learning and experience. A safefy plan for people in the event of the many natural threats, would have to be determined ahead of time though because that level of decision-making rarely occurs in the face of imminent danger. The actual clifts are small and easily avoided. They just hurl mean criticisms and put downs from a safe distance Brene Brown. Guessing the fire spotted from the Chimneys, to Bullhead, then on to Twin Creeks area. You are among several Gatlinburg residents that posted local officials told them that everything was OK as late as 5:30 and there was no evacuation notice. It was extremely dark and small branches and twigs were pelting our car. Then the wind comes!!! I am astounded at the amount of information, expertise, warning, and awareness of imminent danger was present and available in this situation. Chief Kurtz was right on target to compare South Canyon, Yarnell, and now Chimney Top 2. So my husband called the Gatlinburg policy department with the same questions and got the same answers. The Bob Stanton that has been commenting on this thread is NOT the former director of the NPS. When two juveniles were arrested on December 7 and charged with aggravated arson, many people assumed they had the answer. In this case, there were no firefighters in a position to take direct action. He promised a committee to study what happened and there has been no word since. They have tied their hands and resources through environmental forestry management. The cleaner told officials he found Bates in the room where the fire started and had what appeared to be a warming fire going. IMT issued pre-evacuation notices in GA and NC each time they saw cold-front winds approaching that could would threaten communities. Unfortunately human lives were lost and hundreds of folks have been displaced. Ive noted the contrast between how the Incident Management Teams approached the fires compared to the NPS. I turned on tv to see if there were warnings of any sort. Will there be an independent, non-federal agency, through,unbiased, unedited final incident management and serious accident investigation? Most of those resources were involved in those ongoing fires and unavailable for immediate response to a small fire, when it was still small. The fire burned 38,000 acres of state managed conservation areas and private timber lands. http://henryspoetry.blogspot.com/2016/12/cabin-on-creek-and-chimneys-top-2-fire.html, http://henryspoetry.blogspot.com/2016/12/great-chimney-tops-2-fire-science.html.