Thursday, December 08, 2016

Smokies fire Update
An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, National Park Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, on Wednesday resulted in charges being placed against two juveniles in connection with the deadly wildfires in Sevier County. Last week, at the request of Fourth Judicial District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn, TBI Special Agents began working with the Park Service and ATF to investigate the wildfires that began November 23. During a Wednesday news conference Prosecutor Dunn announced that the juveniles have been charged with aggravated arson in the case. He declined to release the ages or gender of the defendants. During the course of the investigation, information was developed that the juveniles started the fire at Chimney Tops, and it spread as far north as Cobbly Nob. The juvenile petition was filed in Sevier County Juvenile Court, and the residents of Tennessee were taken into custody and transported to the Sevier County Juvenile Detention Center. A total of 14 persons and at least one black bear died as a result of the fires, and more than 140 individuals were injured. Prosecutor Dunn said the investigation is active and ongoing. The City of Gatlinburg plans to reopen for business, and to the general public on Friday at 7:00 a.m. Major roadways are expected to be open, but some city roadways may remain closed to accommodate utility work. There are currently 593 total personnel fighting the Chimney Top Fire which is estimated to be 64% contained. The Cobbly Nob Fire is estimated to be 67% contained. A total of 2,460 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fire. Days after Smoky Mountains native Dolly Parton announced the creation of the 'My People Fund', the program has already raised more than $2 million for Sevier County families whose homes were seriously damaged or destroyed in the wildfires. But Parton says as the recovery begins, the need will be much greater. Dolly has pledged to provide $1,000 each month for six months to each affected family "to provide the assistance they need to get back on their feet". Individuals can assist by donating at dollywoodfoundation.org, or can tune in to Great American Country at 8 p.m., Dec. 13 for Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the 'My People Fund', to learn about more ways to help. There are currently 593 total personnel fighting the Chimney Top Fire as a part of the Federal Incident Management Team. That fire is estimated to be 64% contained and the Cobbly Nob Fire is 67% contained. More than 17,000 acres were burned by the fire. Great Smoky Mountains National Park spokesperson Dana Soehn said after all the recent destruction, some people may feel insecure about going back into areas where a wildfire is "not 100% contained". "Please know that the Southern Area Incident Management Team is confident that the containment lines are very secure in all the areas near homes and businesses," she said on Wednesday. There are sections where fire lines have not yet been built, and so they are designated as "not contained." Officials are warning volunteers and others who go into the burned areas to be careful because of debris, exposed electrical wires, smoldering materials, unstable structures, and other hazards. Property should be inspected before children and pets are allowed into those areas.


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