Fires, Increased Fire Danger Closes GSMNP
Increased fire danger closes GSMNP. Parts of the GSMNP have been closed due to increased fire danger. The dry conditions along with expected high winds for the next 24 hours have resulted in the closure of many areas and roads in the GSMNP. East Tennessee has had multiple brush fires in the last few weeks. Last Thursday a brush fire was located just across the street from Dollywood. Today a brush fire has been reported near Townsend, inside the GSMNP, in the Rich Mountain Gap area of Blount County. Crews from several agencies have responded including Townsend Police Department, Townsend Volunteer Fire Department and the National Park Service. Helicopters were being used to dump water on the fire to stop the spread of the fire.
Increased Fire Danger Closes GSMNP
GSMNP rangers started closing roads Monday afternoon. Visitors are being encouraged to leave as soon as possible. The Elkmont and Cades Cove campgrounds were both closed Monday afternoon. Main roads such as Newfound Gap Road (Highway 441) from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to Smokemont Campground will close at 1 p.m. this afternoon.
The following roads have closed or will close later Monday afternoon
Clingmans Dome Road
Cherokee Orchard Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Foothills Parkway between Walland and Wears Valley
Little River Road between the Townsend Wye to Sugarlands Visitor Center
Laurel Creek Road and Cades Cove Loop Road
Cataloochee Road
Lakeview Drive
Sevier County Electric System reported it will cut power to some parts of the GSMNP Monday out of precaution. This will help to prevent downed electrical wires from sparking and possibly starting new fires. That area of now power includes Elkmont and Metcalf Bottoms.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Closures
The Gatlinburg Bypass, Foothills Parkway West from Look Rock to Highway 129, and other park roads will remain open as long as safely possible officials report. Park Rangers said the Spur linking Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg will remain open as long as it’s safe for vehicles to drive on it.
LeConte Lodge in the Smokies will honor reservations for guests already on the trail. But once at the lodge, guests will be asked to shelter in place with lodge staff until the fire danger passes later on Tuesday. The lodge said it will be closed to new guests on Tuesday.
Black Bear Fire Near I-40
The Black Bear fire located near the TN/NC state line along I-40 is another brush fire that is currently being worked. The Black Bear fire now covers 1,740 acres and is 42% containment as of Monday. There have been no evacuations reported. Closures due to this brush fire include Cold Springs, Harmon Den Mountain, Groundhog, Hickory Ridge, Skiffely Creek, Chestnut, Carmicheal, and Snowbird Roads. Road closures are in effect for Cold Springs Road and Brown Gap Road. Impacts on travel along Interstate 40 are expected due to fire crews, equipment and smoke. The Appalachian Trail was closed two days ago with hikers being warned to stay out of the area of the fire. The AT is closed from I-40 to Brown Gap.
High Winds Expected
A front moves through today bringing rain, but it also will have strong gusty winds. A strong storm system is expected to bring gusty winds across the higher elevations and ridge tops today and tonight. Windspeeds of 15-25 mph are expected. Winds will be accompanied by increasing cloud cover on Monday but little rain until Monday night. Tuesday will be very wet, with rain that could be heavy at times. Rain will certainly help the fire crews.
