The fire, which started as a brushfire Wednesday morning in Hatcher Mountain, Wears Valley, had grown to over 3,700 acres (1.497 ha) and had affected more than 100 structures, Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters stated during a press conference. The area was evacuated from around 11,000 homes. Waters stated that three injuries were reported in the fire, but no deaths or missing persons had been reported.
He stated that a coordinated response by emergency personnel, firefighters and forestry officials helped to mitigate the damage.
This fire could have been more destructive if we hadn’t had this team. He said that they were able, even with the wind and low humidity, to keep it at bay as much as possible.”
Officials warned Wednesday morning that high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds increase the danger of fire hazards. Waters stated that the conditions are similar to 2016 wildfires in Gatlinburg which claimed 14 lives and damaged or destroyed approximately 2,500 buildings.
More than 70 fire departments responded to the blaze, and many firefighters worked all night to stop it spreading. Waters stated that the fire was only 5% contained. However, overnight fire lines helped to keep the flames from spreading to Pigeon Forge.
Although rain from the storms that passed through Thursday did not put out the fire, officials stated it helped and the weather conditions were better for controlling the fire.
Until the fire is under control, evacuation orders will continue to be in force. Officials said that schools in the area were closed on Thursday as a precaution.
According to the state Agriculture Department, the fire occurred in steep and difficult terrain. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Authorities stated that at least three shelters had been set up for evacuated people. Over 100 people stayed at the Pigeon Forge Community Center overnight, Sharon Hudson (executive director of the Eastern Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross). According to the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Overnight, a line of severe storms with isolated tornadoes, high winds, and strong winds ripped through the Deep South, killing at most two people in the Florida Panhandle. They also toppled trees and power lines, and left homes and businesses destroyed as the huge weather front raced across many states.
