Over the last few weeks, a number of blazes have happened in the Smokies, including one in Pigeon Forge. Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina were among the regions affected. While most of these fires have since been either put out or mostly controlled, the risk of a wildfire remains significant due to dry conditions and increasing winds.
Tennessee Wildland Fire authorities have been battling to control a wildfire in the hills near Pigeon Forge since early August. The Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane fire has burned around 3,700 acres of property.
According to Sevier County Emergency Management, evacuations for the Shagbark resort, Hatcher Mountain, Cove Creek, and Indigo Roads were in place. To make vehicle access easier during an emergency, several roads in the region were closed. The area where country music queen Dolly Parton and her Dollywood theme park attractions are located is on fire.
In a bid to express her sorrow for those who have been affected by the wildfires in California, Parton posted on Instagram. She posted: “I’ve been keeping up with everything going on with the fires near my home area,” Parton wrote. “It looks scary on TV, but I’m proud of how everyone in the area has pulled together like they always do. I’m especially proud of the brave men and women who are working to contain the fire. ”
After that, she requested for prayers for those who had been affected by the fire. According to Parton, everything is fine at her Dollywood property. She said, “I know some folks who have been affected, and I hope that you will join me in saying a prayer for them. During this time, I’ve also remained in touch with my people at Dollywood who have assured me everything is okay there.”
According to Dollywood, the fire erupted at 2 p.m. in a heating and air conditioning unit on the roof of a closed and unoccupied structure on the resort’s grounds. There was no one in the immediate area of the fire, according to the spokesperson, and workers were able to extinguish it before the Pigeon Forge Fire Department arrived. The park remained open and operating, according to a spokeswoman.
The second fire in a rural location along the Blount County/Sevier County line, known as the Millstone Gap blaze, has burned 800 acres thus far and remains out of control. Investigators are now attempting to determine what started the first flames.
The Pigeon Forge Community Center served as a shelter, while the Seymore Heights Christian Church remained open as needed for those who were looking for a secure location.
According to tn.gov, there are generally two fire seasons in Tennessee. The spring fire season lasts from mid-February through mid-May, when the forest “greened up.” The fall fire season begins around the middle of October and ends around the same time as the leaves start to fall.
Even though wildfires can happen at any time of the year, it’s critical to remember that they may occur at any time. Wildfires might also be triggered by natural conditions. However, experts believe that humans are responsible for almost 85% of wildland fires in the United States.
