Wildfires lead to evacuation of downtown Gatlinburg

The Gatlinburg Fire Department has ordered the mandatory evacuation of the city of Gatlinburg as wind conditions worsen and several fires continue to grow increasingly unpredictable and dangerous.

"We were just told by the Gatlinburg Fire Department that they had told everybody in Gatlinburg to get out," said Judy Tucker, director of Sevier County's E-911 call center, around 9 p.m. "... No one's getting through to anyone. Phones are ringing and not being answered anywhere. It's chaos."

Pigeon Forge city manager Earlene M. Teaster also said all of Pigeon Forge except for the "immediate Parkway" is being ordered to evacuate. Residents in the area are advised to use Highway 411-North to leave the area. 

Around 6 p.m., Gatlinburg fire officials declared an immediate mandatory evacuation of the Mynatt Park neighborhood, East Foothills Road, Turkey Nest Road, Davenport Road and Savage Gardens areas. At that point, average wind speeds were recorded at 40 mph, with gusts clocking in as high as 74 mph, according to a news release from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

With the majority of the wildfires listed as 100 percent contained on the Division of Forestry's website on Sunday, firefighters were hoping the 2-plus inches of rainfall forecast for Monday and Tuesday nights would bring an end to the ongoing wildfire emergency. But Monday’s high wind speeds exacerbated the situation, and the rain has yet to fall — Gatlinburg is expected to receive at least half an inch around midnight, said Jeremy Buckles, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Morristown.

"The wind is not helping, and the rain is not here yet," Gatlinburg Fire Department Chief Greg Miller said in a news conference. "These are the worst possible conditions imaginable."

Fallen trees have sparked multiple fires in Gatlinburg from downed power lines, authorities said. Fire departments from multiple agencies are responding to the area fires.

Employees from the Elkmont and Park Headquarters area were evacuated. Officials closed the Gatlinburg Bypass and Little River Road from Sugarlands Visitor Center to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.

Longtime former LeConte Lodge caretaker Allyson Hughes Virden and her husband Chris posted on Facebook before the evacuation became manditory.

"The mountain headed up to LeConte is a blaze," Allyson Virden said. "We drove to the top of our hill and we were blown away with the fire that is spreading up Mt. LeConte. My heart is breaking ... Chris and I are about to pack up and head out. It breaks my heart to think of all the people in harms way and the historic buildings that are in danger. Please pray for our community and beloved Smokies."

Voluntary evacuations of Mynatt Park neighborhood began on Monday afternoon after a fire was reported around 11:30 a.m., roughly 150 yards behind the Twin Creeks Picnic Pavilion on Cherokee Orchard Road, according to a park news release. The city set up a makeshift shelter at the Gatlinburg Community Center, 156 Proffitt Road.

Officials set up shelters late Monday at LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge, Pigeon Forge Community Center, Liberty Baptist Church in Wears Valley and Iglesia Cristiana LaDuz De Jesus. 

Officials initially reported additional fire activity near the Park Headquarters area, as well as a spot fire between Elkmont and Newfound Gap Road off of the Sugarland Mountain Trail approximately 1 mile south of the Husky Gap Trail intersection.

The National Park Service issued an Air Quality Advisory for the area due to the smoke.

Sevier County Schools, Cocke County Schools and Greene County Schools have cancelled classes on Tuesday due to the fires.

The Diocese of Knoxville issued a statement saying Father Antony Punnackal of the St. Mary Catholic Parish, 304 Historic Nature Trail Road, was safe and asked for prayers. 

"Please join me tonight in praying for the people of Gatlinburg and surrounding areas, and for all of the emergency crews fighting the fires and leading the evacuation of residents and visitors," Bishop Richard F. Stika said. "I also ask you to join me in praying for much needed rain, to help our firefighters in their efforts to protect and serve us all tonight."

In a news release on Monday, park officials said they closed Newfound Gap Road, Cherokee Orchard Road, Elkmont Road and several trails in response to the Chimney Tops fire.

“The fire is currently moving northeast, burning primarily along the ground layer through duff and leaf litter. Gusting winds have caused the fire to spot across the ridges in the Chimney Tops and Bullhead Ridge areas,” the release stated.

On Sunday, three helicopters dropped water throughout the area. Additional ground firefighters were also requested to help with suppression efforts in anticipation of Monday's winds.

Backcountry areas are unsafe for travel and the following trails and backcountry campsites are currently closed until further notice. Closed backcountry trails include Chimney Tops, Road Prong, Huskey Gap, Sugarland Mountain, Rough Creek, Little River, Cucumber Gap, Jakes Creek, Miry Ridge, Goshen Prong, Old Sugarlands, Bullhead, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Brushy Mountain, Trillium Gap, Baskins Creek, Porters Creek and Grapeyard Ridge trails. Closed backcountry campsites include 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, Mount LeConte shelter and Mount Collins shelter.

The fire near Chimney Tops appears to be human-caused and is under investigation, park service personnel said. If anyone has information regarding the origin of this fire, or other fires in the park, please call the park’s tip line at 865-436-1580.

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