Remember GSMNP is not Yosemite or Yellowstone with extreme fire behavior and a history of problems. A voluntary evacuation should have been issued at least 36 hours before the fire exploded. We looked at each other and I asked if we should leave or go back and try to use the water hose to protect the house. I am thankful so many are not only opening their eyes here, but taking action and questioning. Learning for the future is important if it includes changes in policy and procedure. On November 27 the fire was a third of a mileas the crow flies from US Highway 441. Our local congressional representative will be the first to confront the Park Service for numerous shortfalls, bias agendas that cater to special interest groups, and a host of other issues to where the NPS serves itself more so than the people. Those probably did not finish burning for several days. The fire, which was reported at 6:39 a.m. Sunday in the 700 block of Parkway, caused extensive damage to a block of businesses, the city's spokesperson said. with a notice that evacuation is imminent would have been prudent. On Sunday evening we discussed with Gatlinburg friends the forecast for high winds on Monday, so I disagree with local Gatlinburg officials that they were caught by surprise. Ive been told by others that they were waiting for the rain to move in based on the forecast and it didnt arrive when they expected so in the meantime they did nothing. LeConte, is spread primarily, if not exclusively through the air.Though I havent been there in awhile, there used to be a stunning grove of Hemlocks in the Linville Falls area off the Parkway approx. We checked the Spot Weather Forecasts that were requested by the NPS and issued by the NWS for the Chimney Tops 2 Fire. From what I understand, the adelgid spreads from tree to tree via the ground, which is why young hemlocks with smooth bark are rarely infested with adelgid. Tom. Anticipating the fire season, firefighting resources (people and equipment) were brought in from around the Southeast and other parts of the country. Both east and west forks of the Pigeon River. I hope they can train more local governments how to handle big wildfire situations. The next morning we werent allowed to go check on our house because of fires still burning and impassable roads. I agree with you Bill that it isnt Most but whether it is a few or many isnt the point for me. Breathing between car and house was hard. IMT issued pre-evacuation notices in GA and NC each time they saw cold-front winds approaching that could would threaten communities. They knew the high winds were coming days ahead of that Monday. Too often the only voice that is heard in our society is money and the more one has the more they are heard. Not committing firefighters to direct attack in a steep very hard to access high risk area was a good decision. U.S. Park Service (again) and Thanksgiving. When I got home our dog was sneezing repeatably so I brought her in. Forecasts were issued each day from November 24 through 27; we could not find one for November 28 the day the fire burned into Gatlinburg.
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