who caused the gatlinburg fires?

Also important is accountability, so is teaching, learning and experience, so is action, so is on and on. I seriously question if bias will be discreetly worked into this agency and their review of the fire?? This come from long time residents, The prices we have been getting should be considered price gouging because that is exactly what it is. The fire on Sunday caused extensive damage to a block of businesses and left some with only charred debris, news outlets reported, citing a statement from the city. The Bob Stanton that has been commenting on this thread is NOT the former director of the NPS. Some may be pines, but the vast majority appear to be hemlocks. This data from Indian Grave was not too far offthe forecast issued the day before. I also noted that the use of Red Flag Alerts and prescribed burning around some of the more populace areas was both lacking, and being conducted during predicted high wind conditions. Given enough time the clock will run out and the weather will either be in the fire mangers favor or WATCH OUT! All the guy in the truck told us was that they had dug a fire line and were told to wait here. Then another large red pickup came down from Turkey Nest Road and stopped in front of us. There are hundreds of hemlock skeletons heading north from Chimney Rock. I hope the recordings werent pulled under threat of someones attorney or the DA. Your reply well done! Cafe 420 and Gifts of Gatlinburg were also destroyed. Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. The one thing I noticed over the fall was that the National Forest Service held themselves accountable, called in Incident Management Teams from all over the country with big wildfire experience and those teams got it done. To repeat what you have already said, people on the mountain especially Chalet Village north, no longer feel safe . The winds that Monday afternoon had knocked power lines down and early reporting made mention of separate ignition points in the residential hillsides. My writing comes from the heart! So whether the defendants started the 14th fire or not, a close examination of this Facebook press release indicates the fire apparently started on the 13th; and yet a social media photo post claims the 12th clearly showing a lack of response once again in fire suppression by the NPS. We had loaded dog and Abram in car, out of smoke and told them to stay put. 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. Though the drought and winds were undoubtedly an act of God (Psalms 148:8; 1st Kings 17:1), NPS and other officials were not left ignorant. 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 also wanted to let everyone know that the City and County is an example of nepotism at its finest. The news person is very frustrated as she nor their rival Channel 8 can do no interviews due to the gag order. It is not just officials who have not caught up with the new climate reality, it is the general public and those in the path of fire. Why did they wait until Monday to do a voluntary a evacuation or were the city father is involved in the decision not to panic the thousands and thousands of people still there for the Thanksgiving holiday. 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. Things are changing slowly, and the human factors are unfortunately changing at a much slower pace than the climate and other socio-economic factors. Where was all the HELP TO PUT THIS FIRE OUT A WHEN IT STARTED???? We could get blocked in by both. And we were lucky. Jim Renfro, the air quality specialist for GRSM, said the strongest wind gust recorded at Cove Mountain was 87 mph at 9 p.m. on Monday. Many, if not most, of these incidents leave the confines of the managing agency and sweep out onto lands owned or managed by others. Virtually no one knows they have it and THEY DID NOT USE IT. We drove west down the parkway. A year or two ago, there was a small fire on Rocky Spur on the Rainbow Falls Trail up Mt. Do arsonists typically work alone? Who caused the fire in Gatlinburg? They learned. We may never really know the truth about this situation just as with so many other current and prominent situations. Being that were neighbors with these people, its people that we love. In late 2016, wildfires . and see if he could get any information. Gatlinburg Fire 2016: How It Happened & the Aftermath - PigeonForge.com 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. It seems that not even people in western areas have learned that lesson very well, and now it is time for those with homes and property in the east to realize they are at risk too. Now I am tasked with trying to motivate and coordinate the local fire departments much of who are volunteer, the state and national forest professionals to work with me and the community. The notice went out to people within 10 miles of the fireline. I bet someone of you one here would sing a different tune if you loss a big chunk of your retirement because of someone incompetence. I would like to express that there are sincere and dedicated folks working for the National Park Service. I called Bob, boys and I got a bite to eat for supper so we wouldnt be a bother to our friends whose house we were going to wait out the evening. Gatlinburg fire: Body found in blaze rubble, cause of fire under How many homes were lost in the Gatlinburg fire? What the fire victims need is non-biased experts to analyze the BACKFIRES that the NPS claims they ignited to protect NPS structures. I agree, this has many players to blame and starts with Superintendent Cassius Cash and trickles down to the City and County. I have been on both sides of that equation before and still real-ling from my own losses that will negatively affect me and my family for life, because no one took the time to question or look into the story presented to them by those authorities in charge. They probably feel they are fortunate and safe because they will not speak out on the topic until the criminal charges are completed against the two youth that perpetrated this fire but they would be foolish to do so as time just continues to churn the anger. Kelly Morgans comments may have been harsh and offensive to some folks; but when government builds a wall; sometimes it takes a loud voice to get their attention. By the time the troops were called in, it was too late. 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. It is very steep terrain, I would estimate about a 65 degree incline, but it is not easy to fall to your death there. It is unfortunate that in our society people who speak out with a loud voice, or otherwise make waves for the privileged, get not only scorned but categorically destroyed by well planned out and financed design, often full of cover-up and lies and then propaganda is feed to the rest of us, of which we often take for gospel, when in fact is often not based on evidence or fact. I guess they must think when you have to go up there to handle this mess they caused that you dont need lodging, food or gas to get there. Thats why I refused to use a local contractor. So property owners are left to deal with everything and if we had the power we would have done something like worrying the crap out of all of them until action was taken. I keep up with what is going on nationwide and every time I hear about a monitored or let burn fire that escapes the maximum management area, I write about it. I am astounded at the amount of information, expertise, warning, and awareness of imminent danger was present and available in this situation. With that said: were NPS officials aggressive enough in seriously emphasizing to Gatlinburg officials to start preparing for mandatory evacuations? An ongoing lawsuit against the National Park Service over its handling of the 2016 Gatlinburg Wildfire is on hold as a federal judge considers a motion to dismiss the suit. The helicopter worked until it had to refuel and then two other Type 1 helicopters took its placeuntil dark. Tunica, MS, from our area near Kansas City, to arrive late evening, that day, in Tunica. Officials keep repeating that nothing like this has ever happened here before so they cant be responsible. I would like to insert the word, accountability into this discussion. On Friday, Gatlinburg city officials released a report detailing the downtown fire on Oct. 9. There could be traffic jams. The adelgid apparently needs the rougher bark of older trees to climb up the trunk to the greenery on which they feed. Ms. Schroer told us that additional firefighters were ordered on Sunday. They had no sirens or Claxons blaring, no shouting to evacuate thru their grill mounted speakers. It was the hottest summer we ever felt. We must open our eyes and ears and check behind each corner and crevice to see the reality and not just the story being told by a few. But any land manager that expects to allow active spreading fire behavior for weeks or months is knowingly taking a risk that a wind event unpredictable weeks or months in advance will occur and change everything, sometimes with a very undesirable outcome. I have memories of the endless mountainous terrain, but the vast development that came into being, came well after my trip there. GATLINBURG, Tenn. UPDATE (Monday): Firefighters discovered a body in the rubble of these fires, our ABC affiliate WATE reported Monday morning. We applied for the Dollywood assistance and FEMA and can get neither, Im not sure who they are helping but for us and our neighbors we arent getting anything. Youre right change is hard to come by. The report stated the roof started to collapse, and the building was deemed too unsafe to work inside. The one picture showing a PVC clean-out with charring on it is a very good example of a very fast, hot torch of flame blasting a relatively small area. 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. First rule of any structure fire or wildfire. Impressive. Every business downtown was closed except for Bubba Gumps. Thanks again for this forum. I would recommend reviewing Wildfire Todays post titled: NPS releases information about the Chimneys Tops Fire 2 as well as the post Analysis of wind, vegetation, and air tankers before the fire burned into Gatlinburg. IMT issued pre-evacuation notices in GA and NC each time they saw cold-front winds approaching that could would threaten communities. The GRSM person that requested the Spot wrote: Concerned about ridgetop winds with the coming front. For the availability of resources our local volunteer departments are doing a good job, but things are changing and we need to get out of the boxes we are in, and start critical thinking and creatively to meet the challenges of the future because they are rapidly descending upon us whether we like it or not. they if you limit that to local staff might not have as much fire management experience as say Yosemite or Yellowstone. You may have a point regarding lawsuits, reported actions and actual actions. 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. So my husband called the Gatlinburg policy department with the same questions and got the same answers. Incident Mgt. Over 3000 wildfires received Initial Attack in November in the southern Appalachians, many of which were still very active when Chimney Tops 2 started. It's always sad to see the destructive forces of Mother Nature. We are excited to start new memories and get back on the trails. Instead 14 people are dead, many are injured, 2000 structures burned, loss is now a pandemic. In addition, officials confirmed that a firefighter was transported to the hospital with minor injuries from the fire but has since been released. GATLINBURG, Tenn. ( WATE) A building destroyed by fire Sunday in downtown Gatlinburg has been torn down and the investigation into the cause continues. There are a lot of excellent experienced fire management staff working for the Park Service. This is what happened with a handful of officials/personnel regarding the fatal 2000 black bear mauling of a woman hiker in Elkmont. I am broken-hearted over it .. Superintendent Cash says the NPS has no jurisdiction to issue evacuations for the City of Gatlinburg. They were told No, we have it under control.. Ever since Hurricane Katrina, I have doubted the ability of our emergency managers to plan for any aspect of, or kind of disaster, and the fire in Gatlinburg only supports my concerns. A friend that owns a rental company there said that about 90% of the homes in the area which leave them 10% they can rent or sale. I was surprised that we saw no one at the closed Chimneys parking area early morning when we drove by. On November 27 the fire was a third of a mileas the crow flies from US Highway 441. The Gatlinburg Fire Department was dispatched to the 700 block of Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg at 6:39 a.m. on October 9. The lines between reality and virtual reality or fake reality are so blurred. They were flying water drops on Sunday with the equipment available (National Guard choppers). I hope this video puts people at ease that this fire is. My boys and I do not have images of wildfires that we would have seen had we waited to leave home. We went to West TN for Thanksgiving Holidays and came back home to Gatlinburg on Sunday. That is when it began moving rapidly toward Gatlinburg. Do we need to learn from it. Great job on this website, it is very informative and I recommend it to everyone in the business. Thats totally untrue. The body of an unidentified person was found amid the rubble of a downtown section of buildings that. The fire was reported to be near the Twin Creeks Picnic Center at 1130. Hindsight is 20/20 and of course much coulda woulda shoulda is understandable. 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. Their are undoubtedly many many causative factors for any disaster, even the actions, inactions and unintentional actions can be like a snowball rolling down a mountain of snow! Thank you for the timeline and the opportunity for comments. He replied to me on Christmas Eve no less, that they were double checking all the facts to make sure all of their information was as accurate as possible and would keep digging. Intention is important, even in a court of law, intention ways heavily on the sentencing. I hope they can train more local governments how to handle big wildfire situations. The leafless trees allowed more sunlight to hit the fuel, drying it out even more. 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. It is important to look at many facets, evidence and root cause studies so that the issues can be resolved. I am just saying that it is not necessary to lynch someone in order to hold them accountable. 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. The appearance of dead hemlock progression is astounding. While my husband tried to rake the leaves away more than once, they blew right back in. 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. The successes, and the losses, the poor decisions, the mistakes, the error and the failures. If it was felt that people on this fire were at risk then dont staff the fire. At the official Gatlinburg weather station recognized by the NWS 0.73 inch was recorded on Tuesday. I doubt it as the experience there is of fast moving potentially devastating fires. The individual was identified as Joe Martin Bates, 54, according to the Sevier County Medical Examiners office. If you had transposed the same fire with similar conditions to California or Idaho would it have been managed the same way? We told them the fire was coming. True, our firefighters and 1st responders put their lives in harms way and we should respect them; and yet distinguish these folks from officials who are undoubtedly making bad calls/decisions. Hemlocks standout on aerial photos because the limbs grow in a spiral pattern around the tree. The winds were blowing from the Chimneys more down the mountain than up toward LeConte. On the night before I left for Branson, I had terrible nightmares of being caught in a forest fire in Branson. Was it ever fully suppressed? The park needs to share accountability in this situation, and all of us who have formerly worked in fire realize this. The Park Superintendent did not want to risk the lives of NPS fire crews with the Chimney Tops Fire 2; and that is to be respected. One of the owners of the impacted businesses called a contractor to demolish a damaged portion of the building. Rippetoe hopes the destruction isnt there much longer and all businesses lost can return. Excellent points, Jody. We have a mountaintop cabin about 50 miles south of this area. I told him I would call fire department in Gatlinburg across from Food City. It would be interesting to understanding the impact of excessive fuel from dead hemlocks, killed by hemlock wooly adelgid (together with the lack of moisture typically found under a mature, live, shady hemlock canopy, even with the extreme drought conditions) had on this fire. Our Gatlinburg Inn was built on family and community. Basically telling the press, the public and the injured families to go to hell. Im sorry but that initial fire management at the outset was atrocious. We believed the firefighters were going to stop the fire from entering the city. This was done to simply to avoid tort liability claims even though a claim was filed; and to avoid accountability.

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