I said, okay thats weird.'. Earlier Wednesday evening the area along Wears Valley Road including areas from Waldens Creek Road to Wear Farm City Park and about a mile from the Pigeon Forge Parkway were added. In a morning update Wednesday, officials said most of those who had been displaced were back home. At least 35 buildings were burned Wednesday, and one person was airlifted to UT Medical Center, said Sevier County spokesman Perrin Anderson. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - More than 100 people were displaced after an apartment fire in Pigeon Forge, according to Sevier County dispatch. A Warner Bros. While the fire was put out, several people are now without homes and two apartments were damaged. The wildfire has burned more than 3,700 acres in the Wears Valley area of Sevier County, and as of 11:30 a.m., at least 100 structures have been impacted. Two incident management teams are on the scene, an interagency team and a state team. To guarantee you dont miss a chance to visit our Pigeon Forge attraction while youre in town, get your tickets today! The In light of Smokies fire in Wears Valley, track wildfires in Tennessee with this map. Authorities have urged anyone in the Wears Valley and Walden Creek areas to evacuate immediately. "Way different from yesterday.". pic.twitter.com/mfFfiReWBB, Ben Cathey (@bencatheywvlt) March 31, 2022. Besides the well-being of homeowners and dwellings in the tourist Great Smoky Mountains destination , the biggest worries are clusters of fallen trees. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. About half an inch of rainfall is expected early Thursday morning. Family wants to say thank you to Pigeon Forge after house fire. This is not a wind-driven event any more.". It was a pretty bad Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Thank you everybody.. The county also provided a phone number for information but asked insurance companies to hold off. If youve been evacuated, only return to your home when local officials announce it is safe to return. Please keep in mind our commenting ground rules before you post a comment. The school systems spring break is next week, so students will return to school on Monday, April 11. BRUSH FIRES FORCING MANDATORY EVACUATIONS IN GATLINBURG NEIGHBORHOODS GATLINBURG, Tenn. Directions: From Parkway Southbound, Turn right onto Wears Valley Rd, Turn left onto Lost Branch Rd, Turn right onto Pulaski Ln. In West Tennessee, local and state emergency officials conducted damage assessments yesterday in Carroll, Fayette, and Madison counties conducted damage assessments yesterday, and continue to compile information on the impact of the severe storms Wednesday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) Fire, emergency and utilities crews worked overnight in Sevier County as wildfires burned in the area and storms moved in across the region. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Back in early March, the Stanton family received a phone call at the restaurant that their home was on fire. Users can type their address inthe window to see if they are within the evacuation area. And when I tell you that, it was just amazing, added Stanton. New evacuations were issued Thursday evening for Smoky Ridge Way area off of Wears Valley Road because of an increase in fire conditions. Updated: Apr 20, 2023 / 02:18 PM EDT. ? The fire burned through the top layer of leaf litter, leaving fuel on the ground to be reignited. They are providingmeals, drinks, snacksand comfort to first responders battling the flames. Individuals in this area were ordered to evacuate immediately. Marlow Volunteer Fire Department and other Anderson County crewsrespondedto the30-acre fire in the area of Cumberland View, Martin Road and Bush Road, and residents were asked to remain alert to the "evolving situation.". $450,000. Fire risk estimates are based on projections for the average proportion of the area surrounding your home that will burn annually. Firefighting continues, the park reported, adding conditions throughout the park continue to be dry with an enhanced risk for wildfires. Everything I own is in my apartment.. Several roads are closed because of worsening fire conditions as well, including: Sevier County Schools canceled classes for Friday because of the wildfires. It is possible that the strong winds on Wednesday affected the incident. We lost everything. Baseline estimates for burned area are drawn from the Monitoring Trends in Tourists were more panicked by the evacuation notice than locals, Fisher said. I wont have anywhere to live, I wont have my personal belongings. All Rights Reserved. #tnwx #wildfire Navigating the web of cabins in the area was complicatingmitigation efforts. After his home burned, he had nothing but his business. Be sure to prevent the development of fires and wildfires: Do not throw smoking materials into brush or leaves. 170 Community Center Drive, Pigeon Forge.". WebWildfires in the Tennessee resort towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have killed at least seven people and scorched more than 15,000 acres. CURRENT SITUATION Local, state, and federal fire 8:40 PM EDT, Thu March 31, 2022. It was pitch black, really really pitch black. Some families at the shelter went out to dinner shows and activities on the Strip while they waited for updates. Postal Code: 37876. Over 100 displaced return after Pigeon Forge apartment fire. $7,568/mo Get pre-approved 3 Beds 4.5 Baths 2,366 Sq Ft About This Home New Spec build! On the second day of the fire, the windy conditions that caused it to spread let up some. "Please refrain from bringing items to any locations at this time," officials posted. Sevier County is accepting donations of specific items, on specific days at the Sevier County Fairgrounds. 1919 Little Valley Rd. Resident Robert Goodhue was turned around mid-afternoon by a state trooperas he was driving up Mountain Hatcher Road towards his home,Goodhue said the state trooper told him the neighborhood was being evacuated. HOW TO DONATE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY TENNESSEE WILDFIRES. NEW CONSTRUCTION. Home will be on the left. So when the power went out last night he knew something was up. County Or Parish: Sevier. I was numb honestly, Borges said. Sevier County Schools, Blount County Schools and Campbell County Schools are closed Thursday out of abundance of caution. "We will provide donation information for both items and money later this afternoon.". The owner of J. Dels Pizza in Pigeon Forge said there were too many people to thank over the past month. Firefighters spent the majority of the day Thursday patrolling the perimeter and focusing on hotspots in an effort to keep the fire from getting any bigger, saidBrook Smith, spokesperson for the Tennessee Division of Forestry. The Blackhawks will pick up water from nearby water sources and transport it directly to the needed area. In the Little Valley neighborhood, rental cabins sit next to streaks of scorched earth. Updated We look forward to welcoming you to Dolly Partons Stampede in Pigeon Forge! At 11:20 a.m., Sevier County officials said assessments of property damage will begin soon in the areas affected by the fire. Over 100 people had to evacuate. If they catch fire,Tennessee Division of Forestry spokesperson Brook Smith said, the rain can't do much to stop it. "We're currently putting in lines and doing structure protection," Smith said. But when we were standing out there Im not going to lie, I was shaking.. There was no update on his condition this morning. 1919 Little Valley Rd. Dolly Parton, who is from Sevier County, wrote on Twitter she was keeping up with the fires. Red Cross disaster action responder Jessica Fisher said the shelter has seen lots of vacationers from all over evacuating the rental cabins they were staying in outside of Pigeon Forge. The Blackhawks will pick up water from nearby water sources and transport it directly to the needed area. Appears the dozer operator info may be false; Fire now at 3000 acres. Parkside Resort is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Credit: Parkside Resort/Facebook. Firefighters have now contained 30% of theHatcher Mountain/Indigo Lane fire,Sevier County Emergency Management Agency announced Thursday afternoon. After his home burned, he had nothing but his business. In a 10 a.m. briefing on Thursday officials said the wildfire southwest of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which is being referred to as the Indigo Lane Fire and Many of the people who were evacuated last night were able to go back to their rooms after the fire crews were finished. I'm just really hoping everybody came off the mountain.. TEMA encourages those who would like to help to make a financial donation to a relief organization, such as Mountain Tough or American Red Cross, as the best way to help those in need. All rights reserved. County Or Parish: Sevier. Residents and visitors needing general information, or having information to provide, on areas affected by the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire may call 865-774-3899. $53+ per day plus taxes. Pryor and his soncame back Wednesday to see the damage. 3. Back in Sevier County, theemergency management agency issued an evacuation notice around Indigo Lane in Wears Valley that waslater expanded to include anyone in the Shagbark or Preserve area. The fear from the last time, that's heavy on everybody's mind. At about 6 p.m. the department said it had burned approximately 250 acres. Being out in the parking lot, I was standing over there on the other side of the parking lot because I went out that way to get away from the fire. Great opportunity to own a turn key property in the heart of Pigeon Forge. A State of Emergency remains in place in Tennessee with the SEOC in Nashville continuing to operate. Containment grew through Thursday, new fire outbreak at Millstone G As of 8 p.m. Thursday, Sevier County officials announced the Hatcher Mountain fire is 45% Difficult for me because who doesnt like to take things for people? Just steps away you'll find shopping, dining, entertainment and plenty more. The fire is known as the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire according to the Emergency Management department. Parton says she's been assured everything is OK around her Dollywood estate. "Fortunately it is now raining and we feel confident this will be contained shortly. But until then, on Wednesday night the relative humidity will be in the 30s and 40s with very strong winds out of the southwest at 15 to 18 mph with gusts of 40 to 60 mph. "As many are aware there has been a brush fire at Parkside resort. That brick courtyard belongs to the Pigeon Forge Community Center, where the American Red Cross has set up a shelter for those evacuating the Hatcher Mountain/Indigo Lane fire. The Dupont fire started March 31, burned nearly 1,000 acres and was fully contained a week later. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene; one man was injured Wednesday and flown out by LifeStar. The wildfire has burned more than 3,700 acres in the Wears Valley area of Sevier County. The fire prompted the Sevier County School System to cancel classes Thursday out of an abundance of caution for our students, parents, and staff members, it said in a message on its website. Winds were expected to die down Thursday. Many returned Wednesday to see the damage. At 9 a.m. Thursday the wind at Cove Mountain was 21 mph from the south-southwest with 81 percent RH. "If you are in Parkside Resort within a 2 mile radius of that location EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY. As of just after 9pm local time, WATE reports the fire is 45% under control. State Or Province: TN. It was a weird experience. Overnight rain was expected to help, but continued high winds might sustain the blaze. 3bedrooms, 2baths, game room with pool table, sunroom, patio with fire pit, grilling and jacuzzi areas - this property has it all! PIO Nathan Waters said the 100-hour logs had a 13% moisture content, making them extra susceptible to a fire. A second fire in a remote area near the Blount County/Sevier County line, called the Millstone Gap fire, has burned 800 acres so far and has zero containment. A mandatory evacuation was ordered Thursday afternoon for Smoky Ridge Way off Wears Valley Road due to increased fire activity. At least one person was reported injured and taken to UT Medical Center in Knoxville. Helicopters have been dropping water on the fire since early Thursday morning. Im not really sure what time it was but we didnt really think much of it, and then we walked out on the balcony and saw the fire trucks, the ladders, and all the firefighters putting out the fire.. This is our favorite place to come, love it down there, sure hope no one get hurt or worse. WebPigeon Forge TN Today Showers Likely High: 73 F Tonight Chance Showers then Patchy Fog Low: 51 F Saturday Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny High: 77 F Saturday Night Showers Likely Low: 53 F Sunday Showers Likely High: 69 F Sunday Night Slight Chance Showers then Mostly Clear Low: 41 F Monday Sunny then Mostly Sunny and Breezy Goodluck to all those fighting the fire. The Tennessee Dept. Several apparatus and a dozer lost on the Wears Valley fire; dozer operator burned and flown out. Commercially zoned and ready to become a new addition to your rental portfolio. He said everything was okay, but going through that type of experience is a memory he wishes he could forget. "Im proud of how everyone in the area has pulled together like they always do," Parton wrote. If it werent for a the wildfire eating up the nearby mountainside, it could be a normal day in Pigeon Forge. Hikers are advised to avoid hiking during this time period across the park, particularly in areas with standing dead trees.". 523 WARBONNET WAY, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 is a 3 bed, 4.5 bath, 2,399 sqft house now for sale at $949,000. There are no reports of fatalities or missing people as a result of the blaze, Waters said, calling the news answered prayers.. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Numbers at the shelter ebbed and flowed as families headed out to see if they could return to their residence. Parton took to Instagram to express support for those affected by the fires. You can type an address at the top-right on the page to see if it is affected. of Commerce and Insurance has a team in place at the Sevier County Fairgrounds, 753 Old Knoxville Highway, in Sevierville, beginning today who will be able to assist those affected by the Wears Valley wildfire to file insurance claims. 2837 Willa View Dr, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 Executive Summary Great opportunity to own a turn key property in the heart of Pigeon Forge. Now he finds he has a community lifting him back up. Even so, the anxiety isa sharp contrast to the busy glamour of Pigeon Forges Strip. The Tennessee Dept. According to Sevier County Emergency Management, after visiting the website with the above evacuation map, users cantype their address into the window to see if they are within the evacuation area. As Goodhue watched the flames from the nearby Dollar General, he talked to a man who was crying as he watched his home of 34 years burn. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) More than 100 people continue to deal with the fallout of a fire that broke out at the Cold Creek Resort in Pigeon Forge on Tuesday night. In the meantime, at least three shelters were opened to accommodate those potentially displaced by the fires, according to county officials. We've got to go. There's no waiting game on this one. If youre thinking of altering your workout routine, youre probably looking for new exercises and equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. In 2022, more than 43,200 vehicles a day traveled through Exit 407, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Evacuations remain in place for the Shagbark resort and Hatcher Mountain, Cove Creek and Indigo Roads, according to Sevier County Emergency Management. Five fire rescue vehicles, including four county vehicles and one state vehicle, were damaged as a result of the fire, Waters said. MLS Area Major: Pigeon Forge. Several fire trucks took severe fire damage near Wears Valley. Seymour Heights Christian Church, (122 Boyd's Creek Highway) and the Pigeon Forge Community Center (170 Community Center Drive) are available as shelters for persons displaced by the Hatcher Mountain/Indigo Lane Fire. Agencies in Sevier County responded to Cold Creek Resort in Pigeon Forge, dispatch officials said. Hudson said asschools closed due to the evacuations, children were bused to the evacuation center so parents could pick them up. Pilot killed in helicopter crash was former wildland firefighter, Higher than average wildfire activity expected in Southern Plains and Southwest, April through June, Counter Rotating Vortex Pair: the 2020 El Dorado Fire, Trial begins with Pacific Power over 2020 wildfires, Oregon cancels its long-held policy with Lloyds of London, Virginia deputy chief dies of heart attack after wildfire response, Another Earth Day voice MSNBCs Velshi: Time to get creative on wildfires fast. We look forward to welcoming you to Dolly Partons Stampede in Pigeon Forge! A new fire started Wednesday in Sevier County, Tennessee approximately four miles southwest of Pigeon Forge and six miles northwest of Gatlinburg. Local officials estimate 1,000 acres have been impacted by the Sevier County wildfire with approximately 35 structures damaged. The fire was extinguished by 5 a.m., and evacuation orders for the area were lifted, according to the Sevier County Emergency Management Agency. The fires are just a few miles from the site of the 2016 fires, which burned into Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge proper. The fire has spread due to strong winds in the area.According to the Sevier County Emergency Management Agency, mandatory evacuations have been issued for At approximately 11:30 a.m., one of the helicopters experienced engine failure, resulting in an emergency landing southwest of Wears Valley. The resort released an updated statement just before 9pm local time on its Facebook page. The Pigeon Forge Community Center is open as a shelter while the Seymore Heights Christian Church will remain open as needed. Looking for something special to get your mom for Mothers Day? The Park closed some roads on Wednesday due to the prediction, they said, for sustained winds between 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 90 mph. This spring, Le Creuset has introduced an exciting new shade thats already selling fast: shallot, a soft lavender with pink and slight gray undertones. At this time we have evacuated the resort but there have been no structure fires. Ft. 375 Sugar Mountain Way, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. All rights reserved. This is why firefighters are spending today doing targeted mitigationmany areas could flame back up as the wind carries embers from still smoking hot spots.. 1723 Pulaski Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37876 | MLS# 256982 | Redfin Search Overview Property Details Sale & Tax History Schools PENDING Street View See all 30 photos 1723 Pulaski Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37876 $950,000 Est. The owner of a popular pizza restaurant said thank you after the community helped after they lost their home to a fire. Although his room was untouched by the fire, hes still without power and will have to continue to stay with his family until its restored. Those affected may return to their residences. CNNs Melissa Alonso, Sara Smart and Chris Boyette contributed to this report. Evacuations are in effect. Emma Frederick and her family, who were staying at an Airbnb rental in Sevier County for the week, received an alert about the evacuations Wednesday afternoon when they were out, and were unable to retrieve their belongings from the cabin. Dozens of people gathered Wednesday afternoon on Highway 321 near Hatcher Mountain Road, anxiously assessing the status of a fire that erupted in the Wears Valley community. Just over 3,700 acres of land have been scorched from the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire, but firefighters now report 85% containment. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. A State of Emergency remains in place in Tennessee with the SEOC in Nashville continuing to operate. Never build a campfire in hazardous or dry conditions. The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville continues its operations today and a State of Emergency remains in place. Fisher said she expects more visitors to the shelter as different roads are shut down. As the strong weather system moved through the area Wednesday night the weather station at Cove Mountain recorded winds out of the south-southeast and south with sustained speeds of 38 mph at midnight. I could see the smoke coming off of Waldens Creek back there, and I was like, That's coming from where I live.. Pigeon Forge serves as a gateway for many to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Kyle Grainger WVLT sent these photos in from the Hatcher Mountain fire as it is now being called. FOX Weather's Will Nunley is in Linden with the latest. Several emergency shelters have have been opened for displaced homeowners and tourists. around 30 mph. Its not a great way to start the new year, Pryor said, I know we will definitely pray for those people and hopefully, they can find shelter or someplace to stay until they can find something else.. More than 122 people stayed in the shelter overnight at the Pigeon Forge Community Center, said Sharon Hudson, executive director of the Eastern Tennessee chapter of the American Red Cross. The Stanton family is still looking for their permanent home, but have a temporary place for now. This could lead to significant fire spread toward the northeast before the showers begin. According to WBIR and WVLT, the Sevier County Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday night that the blaze, dubbed the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire, had reached 1,000 acres. This fire could have been much more devastating had we not had this team in place, he said. Thank you. The city of Gatlinburg had issueda mandatory evacuation in the areas of Ownby Hills and Hidden Hills due to the approximate one-acre brush fire, which igniteddue to downed power lines. A wildfire burns in Sevier County, Tennessee, on Wednesday. The Countys Emergency Management department said it is in the Hatcher Mountain Road and Indigo Lane area of the Wears Valley Community. For those evacuating, ashelter has been establishedatPigeon Forge Community Center, 170 Community Center Drive. The Pigeon Forge Community Center at 170 Community Center Drive is available for individuals displaced by the fire. Links to recovery information and resources available on TEMAs website, Sevier County Wildfire Recovery, and. -- A wildfire that has burned over 100 structures in the hills near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is nearing full containment, Tennessee Wildland Fire officials said. Just over 3,700 acres of land have been scorched from the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire, but firefighters now report 85% containment. The mood in the shelter has been mostly upbeat, she said. According to the Wears Valley Fire Department, the fire is near Little Cove Road and Pine Mountain Road in Pigeon Forge. I know there are some folks who have been affected, and I hope that you will join me in saying a prayer for them, Parton said. Those fires killed at least 14 people, injured many All they can think about when we can get home, did something happen to our home, Fisher said. Joshua Pryor and his family were watching the whole thing happen from afar. 2023 Cable News Network. Some roads opened back up and the evacuation area was reduced. 2 Baths. Firefighters continued to work through the night patrolling the perimeter of the fire and protecting structures, said Brook Smith, spokesperson for the Tennessee Division of Forestry. Each aircraft will make multiple trips. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. -- A wildfire that has burned over 100 structures in the hills near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is nearing full containment, Tennessee Wildland Fire officials said.