Tennessee fire evacuees return to gauge destruction

The devastation that the wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tennessee have caused has clearly taken a toll on everyone, including the fearless men and women who are trying to contain the fires.

So far, 13 wildfire deaths have been counted. “We’re going to evaluate the responses and what went on at the appropriate time”, he said.

“We just came from the shelter over here and just had a chance to tell people, you know, ‘Don’t worry.’ Like my mama used to tell me, ‘Everything’s going to be OK, ‘” the mayor told WATE.

“We love it up here so much”, said Gary Moore, his voice trembling.

Hours later, at another briefing, officials announced that a number of missing people had been found.

Officials discovered three more bodies Wednesday, raising the death toll to seven. Haslam said officials are also building a job bank to help residents return to work.

The American Red Cross launched a service to try to reunite those who were separated; the number of those unaccounted for, however, is not clear.

Authorities are following up on dozens of leads about missing people, but they do not know exactly how many people may be missing.

In Sevier County alone, more than 400 firefighters and nearly 100 fire apparatuses are supporting the firefighting effort, according to The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. Additionally, thousands of wooded acres have burned in the most-visited national park in America.

The damage began on Monday when a wildfire, probably caused by a person, spread from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into the Gatlinburg area as hurricane-force winds toppled trees and power lines, blowing embers in all directions.

“Gatlinburg is the people”, he said. “The extent of any smoke or wind damage can not be determined until officials reopen the roads into Gatlinburg”, a diocesan statement said. The park alerted Gatlinburg and Sevier County officials to be on the lookout. “We did the best we could, and we’re sorry”. The identifies of six of the 13 deceased have been confirmed, Waters said.

A Kentucky family watched in horror as the deadly Tennessee wildfire consumed their dream vacation home after the mountain house’s security system reported smoke.

Grissino-Mayer has studied wildfires for over 30 years and, more specifically, those in the Southeast for 20.

Dolly Parton, the singer-actress who owns the Dollywood theme park in nearby Pigeon Forge, said Wednesday she is creating a fund for area families affected by the fires to help get them back on their feet.

Tennessee officials say they are making significant progress searching for any survivors in homes and businesses that were scorched by wildfires earlier this week. Dollywood remained closed Thursday.

The superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National park says the wildfires that devastated parts of eastern Tennessee were likely human-caused. Donations of water and fluids arrive for residents, displaced by the mandatory evacuations caused by the wildfires, gather at Rocky Top Sport World on US321 just outside of Gatlinburg, Tenn., Wednesday.

Almost 24 hours of rain fell Wednesday and helped dampen the wildfires.

According to her obituary, Vance lived in Gatlinburg.

Michael Reed said he and his 15-year-old son left their Gatlinburg area home Monday night to see if the fire was close to their house.

Chief of Police Randall Brackins said that they will be requesting proof of ownership or anything showing an address such as driver’s licenses.

Soehn and others working the incident also believe there was nothing that could have stopped the extreme winds that rapidly spread the flames.

Park officials estimated that more than 17,000 acres have burned. Charred home and cars sit on a property, while a neighbor’s home, background, is undamaged Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

“The center of Gatlinburg looks good for now”, Newmansville Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Bobby Balding told the Knoxville News-Sentinel on Tuesday.