Gatlinburg Fire Update: 7 Fatalities and 700 Structures Lost

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

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Here's the latest Chimney Tops 2 Fire Update as of this evening. This was just posted on the new Chimney Tops 2 Fire Facebook page (see additional updates below). Incident Summary: The Chimney Tops 2 Fire was reported in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, TN on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at approximately 5:20 p.m. The wildfire began burning in a remote location (Chimney Tops)...
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Map of Gatlinburg Fire Impact Area

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

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Inciweb, the Federal incident information system, has published a map of the Gatlinburg fire area. You can click here to see an enlarged version of the map. The fire so far has impacted 15,653 acres in the area. Jeff HikingintheSmokys.com HikinginGlacier.com RockyMountainHikingTrails.com TetonHikingTrails....
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LeConte Lodge and Elkmont Undamaged by Fire

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced this evening that LeConte Lodge, the popular backcountry lodging facility at the base of Mount LeConte, and the Elkmont Campground and Historic Districts sustained no damage from the fire activities in the park on Monday evening. Some Elkmont buildings sustained roof damage from falling trees caused by heavy winds, and some roof repairs...
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TEMA Evening Update on Gatlinburg Area Wildfires

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

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The following is an update from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency as of this evening: CURRENT SITUATION Local officials in Pigeon Forge have lifted the mandatory evacuation order. Gatlinburg still remains under a mandatory evacuation order. Pigeon Forge officials estimate 500 people were evacuated on Monday night. Approximately 125 people remain displaced and in local shelters in Pigeon...
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TEMA Update on Sevier County Wildfires

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

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The following is an update from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency as of this morning: State agencies and local officials evacuated likely thousands residents and visitors from Sevier County last night due to devastating wildfires in-and-around the cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. It is very likely 14,000+ residents and visitors evacuated from Gatlinburg alone. The Chimney Top...
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Fire Update - All Facilities Closed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

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Sevier County, City of Gatlinburg, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have reported widespread fire damage and continued fire activity throughout the Gatlinburg area and much of Sevier County including Wears Valley, Pigeon Forge, and Jones Cove. Gatlinburg City officials have reported numerous structures completely lost to fire including businesses in the downtown area and private homes...
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Smokies Closes Roads and Trails due to Chimney 2 Fire - May Be Human Caused

Monday, November 28, 2016

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have closed Newfound Gap Road, Cherokee Orchard Road, Elkmont Road, and several trails due to the Chimney 2 Fire. The fire has grown to approximately 500 acres in size overnight due to extreme, sustained winds over 20 mph. National Park Service fire crews are focusing on suppression efforts to ensure public safety and protect park facilities at locations...
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National Park Service Announces 10 Fee Free Days for 2017

Sunday, November 20, 2016

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Combine great scenery and history with great savings and visit a national park for free on one of 10 fee free days in 2017. The ten entrance fee-free days for 2017 will be: • January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day • February 20: Presidents Day • April 15-16 & April 22-23: National Park Week Weekends • August 25: National Park Service Birthday • September 30: National Public Lands Day • November...
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Smokies Announces Reopening of Alum Cave Trail

Thursday, November 17, 2016

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials celebrated the completion of a 2-year trail rehabilitation project on Alum Cave Trail today, November 17. Alum Cave Trail is one of the most popular trails in the park, leading hikers to iconic areas including Arch Rock, Inspiration Point, Alum Cave Bluffs, Mt. Le Conte, and LeConte Lodge The trail was reopened, on schedule, following work completed by...
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Park Issues Ban on All Campfires and Open Grills

Thursday, November 17, 2016

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have issued a ban on all campfires and use of fire grills throughout the park effective immediately. Due to continued dry conditions and widespread wildfires throughout the region, park officials have issued the parkwide ban to further reduce the risk of escaped fires. The fire restriction will be in effect until further notice. The fire ban applies...
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Smokies Invites Public Comment on Mt. Sterling Solar Project

Thursday, November 17, 2016

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials invite the public to comment on a proposed sustainable energy project through December 13, 2016. Duke Energy has proposed installing an array of solar panels, coupled with a zinc-air battery, to power critical park communications equipment located atop the remote Mt. Sterling in the Haywood County area of the park. Duke Energy currently delivers power...
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Smokies Closes Trails Due to Small Wildfire

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

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I just saw this now, but the Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced on their Facebook page yesterday that a firefighting crew continues to monitor the 0.25 acre wildfire burning near the summit of the Chimney Tops Trail. The fire currently remains within the containment area established by the crew yesterday. Trails are expected to remain closed through Tuesday, November 15th. Closed trails...
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Planning a Visit to the Smokies This Holiday Season?

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

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Planning a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains this Holiday Season?  Please help support HikingintheSmokys.com by supporting the sponsors on our Accommodations page. Our hiking website provides links to a wide variety of overnight options - from cozy cabins to luxurious resorts. Thank you very much! Jeff HikingintheSmokys.com HikinginGlacier.com RockyMountainHikingTrails.com ...
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Joint Information Center Opens to Provide Wildfire Information

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

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A joint information center is now open to provide timely and accurate information about wildfires in western North Carolina and related issues. This one-stop information center will provide the public with updates on wildfires, evacuations and shelters, road and trail closures, air quality, current burning restrictions, and the schedule for public meetings for wildfires. The center will be staffed...
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Citico Creek Wilderness and Part of Joyce-Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Closure

Sunday, November 13, 2016

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The U.S. Forest Service has implemented a closure for the entire Citico Creek Wilderness and the portion of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness located in the Cherokee National Forest (Tennessee). This closure has been put in place for public safety due to wild fire activity in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness in North Carolina. Beginning November 12, 2016, the following restrictions are...
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TOTAL FIRE BAN in effect for Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests

Thursday, November 10, 2016

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The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests are implementing a TOTAL FIRE BAN due to the extremely dry conditions, high fire danger, and little chance of rain in the immediate forecast. Beginning on November 10, 2016, the following restrictions are in place for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests until further notice: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire (including...
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Blue Ridge Parkway Issues Burn Ban

Thursday, November 10, 2016

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The Blue Ridge Parkway announces fire restrictions in both the NC and VA sections due to extremely dry conditions, high fire danger, and little chance of rain in the immediate forecast. Effective November 9, 2016, the following fire restrictions are in place for the Blue Ridge Parkway until further notice, and in accordance with other state and county agencies: Building, maintaining, attending...
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The Entire Cohutta Wilderness Has Been Closed

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

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The entire Cohutta Wilderness Area in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (Georgia) and the Cherokee National Forest (Tennessee) is now closed to public entry. This closure has been put in place for public safety due to the increase in wildfire activity in the Cohutta Wilderness. According to the USFS notice, the wilderness will be closed until 12/13/16. Jeff HikingintheSmokys.c...
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Forest Service Closes Portion of Road and Forest in Red River Gorge

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

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Due to a wildfire that started on Monday, Daniel Boone National Forest officials have temporarily closed a portion of Tunnel Ridge Road #39 and some national forest lands in the Red River Gorge. The closure order prohibits anyone from entering or being on Tunnel Ridge Road past the Grays Arch trailhead parking area and all national forest lands south of Tunnel Ridge Road, west of the Sheltowee...
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Big South Fork Implements Campfire Restrictions

Friday, November 4, 2016

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Due to the extremely dry conditions currently being experienced, Big South Fork officials have determined that it is necessary to prohibit the use of all open fires and activities, which unduly increase the fire danger. The term "open fires" refers to any flame source not immediately extinguishable or controllable and applies to any form of wood or charcoal-based fire. Superintendent Niki Stephanie...
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Emergency Trail Closures on Nantahala National Forest

Thursday, November 3, 2016

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New wildfire starts on the Nantahala Ranger District have resulted in trail closures due to fire activity: * Appalachian Trail from Nantahala River to Burningtown Gap closed due to new fire that started Thursday afternoon. The Tellico Fire is actively burning in that area. The closure also includes Wesser Creek Trail in the same area. * Appalachian Trail closed from Rock Gap to Winding Stairs...
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Smokies Temporarily Bans Backcountry Campfires

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced a temporary ban on campfires in the park’s backcountry effective immediately. Due to extremely dry weather conditions and the amount of fresh leaf litter on the ground, the potential for escaped fires to occur in the backcountry has dramatically increased. The fire restriction will be in effect until further notice The fire ban only applies...
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