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Gatlinburg fires

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WoodiE

WoodiE

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Been watching some of the videos and pictures of the fires in Gatlinburg, TN and it's a shame seeing them. We normally go there about once a year and to see or hear about so many of the places we visit gone now is a real downer.

@Rolex are you being effected at all by these fires?
 
Yeah, we're having the worst drought since 1939. It's been really bad all over, lots of people have lost everything. I grew up in east TN, and have spent lots of time in Gatlinburg and Sevier County. My heart goes out to all those affected by the fires.
 
WoodiE said:
@Rolex are you being effected at all by these fires?
Click to expand...
We haven't had rain since the end of August. Now most of the leaves are down and dry. FINALLY it rained all night, last night, much to the relief of all the firefighters and local citizens. Fire departments and police from all over were there helping out. National guard is there, two Blackhawk helis are doing non-stop water drops on the higher areas. We've been smelling smoke for over a week, depending on which way the wind is drifting. We've even had 2 days of Code RED air alerts. Your eyes burn and your nose runs and there's nowhere to go to get away from the smoke. Governor Haslam, who's personal business office is half a mile from me, said that this is the worst fire in Tennessee in 100 years. (He and his brother, who owns the Cleveland Browns, jointly own Pilot/Flying J) That's gas and truck stops.
Gatlinburg is one of the most beautiful towns I've ever seen. It's like a microcosm of Switzerland with all the A-Frame homes built on mountainsides or straddling streams. The aerial footage of the devastation was heartbreaking, to say the least. As of yesterday evening they had lost over 150 structures and 3 people have been confirmed dead with 12 more in the burn unit of the UT hospital about a mile from here. The mayor of Gatlinburg not only lost the business he'd had for 31 years, but also lost his home to the fire. On Monday, the winds here were like nothing I'd ever seen. Gatlinburg had almost steady 40 MPH winds with gusts going over 80. You can hardly stand up in that. Trees dropped knocking down wires and power poles, blocking access roads and starting more fires with the sparking wires. Other fire departments and police services unfamiliar with the area had to negotiate their way around in areas with enormous blackouts.
All of Gatlinburg was evacuated a couple of days ago and I'll wait a few days after it's lifted to head in there and get some pictures.
 
Here's the most recognizable wedding chapel outside of Las Vegas, in Gatlinburg. Some friends of mine were married there and now it's gone and she's heartbroken. Sadly, 2 more bodies were found today.
15192682_10154098696168807_5892107070909766584_n.jpg

An all too common sight. Miles and miles of this...
30xp-tennessee-fire2-master675.webp
 
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That's just unbelievable. Except it's right there in color.
Hopefully the EMS troops catch a break and know this fire down.
Pray for those injured and the ones greaving for the lost loved ones, and for the guys and gals fighting the flames.
 
The last count, as of last night, was 700 structures damaged or destroyed, 15,000 acres burned and 7 dead. What makes this even more horrific is the fact that the original fires were intentionally set.
 
Please stay safe! I had heard on the radio that there were fire fighters from MY area headed down to the fires that way! My thoughts and good wishes go out to all fighting, all involved and or effected! There were 44 out of control fires with 120k acres of land involved when I heard this news. Crazy!!! PLEASE stay safe!!!
 
Thanks, so much, for your concern, @Certified Mike
The rain a couple of nights ago gave the firefighters an incredible assist as far as spreading goes. At last report there are still structures burning or in the path of a burn, but the intense winds that spread the flames everywhere have finally subsided.
Wherever possible they get in and search. The body count goes up and many are still missing.
 
So glad to hear you're getting a break finally!!! That is some super scary stuff! Having lived in CA and been close enough to smell the fires burning is a BIG eye opener! Let's you know JUST how fragile life really is and how quickly things might change!
 
Never in my life have I experienced so much destruction in such a short period, so close to home. It also opens my eyes to the absolute helplessness we face when nature takes a turn. Seems to have been a bad year in a lot of places. Drought, fire and flooding. The current death toll is now 13, with many still missing.
 
Yes, for sure! When nature takes her turn, there is simply Nothing left to do but attempt to survive! I have experienced some of that fun myself... Not the fires (THANKFULLY!!!) but a SERIOUS ice storm one year, taking out road access, power lines etc for 14 days where I was at the time. Fortunately, I was prepared for the disaster to the extent.by that I had enough fuel on hand to run the generator to power the kitchen, the heat for the main part of the house, the well water pumps, etc... Had enough wood cut up to BLAST the fireplaces and was able to cook thru that. Also, had a 4X4 That was VERY capable of getting over, under and around the carnage. After they opened the road, it had warmed up and rained... On a dirt road, this means 10" of mud on top of ice!!!! Even with the 4X4, that takes some talent to get around on!!!
Also, experience flooding that took out the basement of the house entirely... Like up to my neck in water before it had started to retreat. Furnace, washer/dryer, stand up freezer (water actually picked the freezer up, tilted it backward and put it back down as if saving me a step in the diagnosis of "fatal".)
Yes, nature is frightening in many ways... When it's not so straight up beautiful anyways! Funny how that works!
I am very happy to hear things have started to turn for the better there! Still, thoughts go out to all affected by this and for those close by to remain safe and alive!!!
 
I honestly thought the droughts and fires had stopped since it's supposed to be winter...Shame on the news outlets not reporting on this. I can't imagine how many lives this is affecting, and I'm wishing the best luck for you @Rolex and anyone else who's in Tennessee.
 
Hard to believe, but here's the latest update:
==============================================================
Two juveniles have been charged with aggravated arson in connection with the deadly Tennessee wildfires that have killed 14 people, injured 130 and destroyed or damaged more than 1,700 buildings, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The teens were taken into custody this morning and are being held at the Sevier County juvenile detention center, said Sevier County District Attorney Jimmy Dunn. Authorities are looking to see if more charges are possible, Dunn said.
 
I heard about the arrays today on the radio. They are looking into charging them as adults. I do feel bad that they are likely a couple of dumb kids playing with matches... BUT... They KILLED people and injured others as well as a HUGE amount of property damage and COUNTLESS other lives risked all in the wake of their stupidity! Truly unbelievable!
 

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