Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Gatlinburg/Smokies update
The bodies of three fire victims recovered on Tuesday in separate locations in Gatlinburg, have not yet been identified. As many as 14 individuals are being treated for burns as well after a wildfire Monday night raced through that city, Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Park officials have announced that LeConte Lodge, the popular backcountry lodging facility at the base of Mount LeConte, and the Elkmont Campground and Historic Districts sustained no damage from the fire activities in the park on Monday evening. Some Elkmont buildings sustained roof damage from falling trees caused by heavy winds, and some roof repairs will be required. The fires in the park and Gatlinburg community have now collectively been estimated to total more than 15,000 acres. Today the park will turn the fire management operation over to the Southern Area Type I Incident Command Team to manage the ongoing fire activities within the park. This team consists of federal and state interagency team members from across the country who collaboratively manage wildland fire and other incident management activities including natural disaster relief efforts. Dan Flener of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency says firefighting has been the sole focus on-the-ground in Sevier County and local officials have not had a chance to set up processes for receiving donations or engaging volunteers. Cash donations can be made through the American Red Cross at redcross.org/donate, or by calling call 1-800-RED CROSS. In Newport ... Newport Grammar School will be accepting donations in partnership with the Cocke County Emergency Management Agency. Items most needed are personal hygiene items, baby wipes, and diapers. Clothing items will also be accepted however hygiene items are most needed. Newport Mayor Connie Ball says the city has set up a donation location at the Newport Community Center items will be accepted today and Thursday 7:00 am - 9:00 pm and Friday 7:00 am - 4:00 pm Items being accepted are; water, Energy Drinks, Energy Bars, individually wrapped snacks, and personal care/toiletries. The collections will go to the fire victims and first responders. Donations will be accepted through Friday at 4:00 pm. For more information contact the Newport Community Center @ 423-623-7304. Commercial Bank branches in Newport also are collecting donations. The Sunset Gap Community Center is opening it's dormitories for those affected by the fire, and is collecting clothes, food, personal hygiene items, baby wipes, diapers, protein bars, energy drinks, and water. Officials in Gatlinburg are asking volunteers to not self-deploy to Sevier County to assist in the clean-up. Local and state officials are currently working on a process to manage volunteers and will provide more information when it is available. The city is blocked off to the public and local officials are not providing access into the city because it is still a dangerous situation. Local officials will announce when they are ready to allow residents back into Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg officials also have not had a chance to do a complete and through assessment of damage in Sevier County. So it is unknown at this time the exact number of structures damaged or destroyed by the wildfire Local officials in Pigeon Forge have lifted a mandatory evacuation order, however Gatlinburg remains under such an order.


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