November 30, 20169 yr Author Any truth to the wildfires that had been happening for weeks were contained on Saturday but were not completely put out in order for burn off or whatever they let fires burn for awhile for brush reasons,etc. Heard that on WLW Could be, but I know most of the time they work to contain a fire like this and then just let it burn it's self out. It is impossible to put water on several hundred acres, so they normally will cut a fire line (removal of underbrush and combustible materials) to contain the fire. High winds can blow it out of containment and that's how it spreads. I've been involved in fighting a fire like this, much smaller, and they are tough to handle if there is any wind at all.
November 30, 20169 yr I wonder what this does to the black bear population. "Man saves bear from #Gatlinburg fires and the bear won't let him go. #ThankfulBear #PigeonForge"
November 30, 20169 yr Author "Man saves bear from #Gatlinburg fires and the bear won't let him go. #ThankfulBear #PigeonForge" That was great, I saw it yesterday. It reminded me of this classic comic from my childhood...
November 30, 20169 yr Could be, but I know most of the time they work to contain a fire like this and then just let it burn it's self out. It is impossible to put water on several hundred acres, so they normally will cut a fire line (removal of underbrush and combustible materials) to contain the fire. High winds can blow it out of containment and that's how it spreads. I've been involved in fighting a fire like this, much smaller, and they are tough to handle if there is any wind at all. I don't think a lot of people realize(myself included) that this fire just didn't start on Monday, but individual fires have been going on for weeks, not only there but in Eastern Kentucky,etc. 90 miles an hour winds was the difference in what happened here. Could it be possible that those in the know were going to let the older fires burn themselves out to some degree and didn't expect such a weather event?
November 30, 20169 yr Author I don't think a lot of people realize(myself included) that this fire just didn't start on Monday, but individual fires have been going on for weeks, not only there but in Eastern Kentucky,etc. 90 miles an hour winds was the difference in what happened here. Could it be possible that those in the know were going to let the older fires burn themselves out to some degree and didn't expect such a weather event? Probably, that's how nearly all fires of this size are put out. You never see the crews going into the woods with hoses, they go in with rakes, shovels, axes and saws to clear a fire line. I'm not sure what they could have done much differently, Mother Nature always finds a way.
November 30, 20169 yr My mom is devastated over Hillbilly Golf. A trip to Gatlinburg is never complete until she gets to put in her 18 or 36 holes of mini golf.
November 30, 20169 yr I haven't seen news today, is the fire contained now or is Gatlinburg still in trouble?
November 30, 20169 yr Author Taking man out of the equation, this probably will be good for the woodland areas inpacted. After some initial erosion, regrowth over the next couple of seasons will bring everything back to life.
November 30, 20169 yr A guy that works for me sent me a note today. His son wrote the feature article on the front page of USA Today today. Adam Tamburin. Pretty cool for him.
November 30, 20169 yr it was reported that the fire started at a home in an area that lost about everything, do they really know where or how it started? This was the first I heard of it starting in a home. Arson has also been reported.
December 1, 20169 yr Author One report today has said over 700 structures have been destroyed. A Fire Chief they were talking to said he had been up on the mountian near Ober Gatlinburg and said it is devastating what has happened up there.
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