This Fire At The Chimney Tops & Gatlinburg Is Heartbreaking!

Photo from Stifler Twitter Page

I blogged about the wildfires two weeks ago and one of the fires I talked about was a small one on the Chimney Tops. Well, on November 23 a second fire broke out on the Chimney Tops in the Great Smoky Mountains National Forest and because of dry weather and high winds today it is burning out of control. The last two day the GSMNP and Gatlinburg have been choked with smoke. Not only is the Newfound Gap Road closed, but as of the time writing this Gatlinburg is under mandatory evacuation, not because of smoke but now for fire!. High winds and this fire are now a recipe for disaster. Wears Valley is now on fire too and WATE-TV Channel 6 is reporting 14 fires in the area. It is also being reported that park employees have been evacuated from the Park Headquarters at Sugarlands. Also, Dollywood may be under threat.

Chimney Tops on fire Sunday (photo from Wildfire Today via NPS).

Smoke in Gatlinburg (Photo from WBIR-TV Channel 10).

Also, it is being reported that the Park Vista (that round hotel) is on fire. I know this is a little blog that only has a very small reach, but it is my platform and on it, I just want to say can we stop the madness.

Park Vista from the Space Needle in 2013.

Pictures of fire (photo from Facebook).

Yes, that is the Jack Huff  near the Village (photo from Facebook)!

 Whether it is by accident or if people are setting these on purpose what can possess someone to do this! I could say that these people are just the lowest forms of life, but what does that do. Fires like this not only destroy the natural beauty of the wilderness but can injury or kill people! While I don't pray, let's hope the rain that is forecast comes because it is needed now! All I can say is this is unbelievable, my thoughts are with everyone affected by this because this is heartbreaking!

***Update 11:07pm***

WATE-TV Channel 6 is reporting that the LeConte Lodge on Mount LeConte might be in danger!

LeConte Lodge....

...from June.