Firefighters battled a brush fire in the Cherokee National Forest near Grassy Fork, Cocke County. First reported in the dark hours around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, responding crews from the Grassy Fork Volunteer Fire Department, with the assistance of Cosby, Del Rio, and Cocke County fire departments, rushed to Halls Top Road, according to WBIR.
Despite their efforts throughout the day, the fire, now dubbed the Bear Fire, persisted and expanded to an estimated 225 acres by Saturday evening, owing to unforgiving winds and dry conditions reported WGVR. Residents are being advised to keep a safe distance from the area, specifically avoiding Forest Service Road #207, which has been closed to public traffic to facilitate firefighting activities. Unfortunately, as the blaze continued, there was no immediate containment in sight.
To reinforce containment efforts, approximately 50 firefighters from various agencies have converged on the scene. They benefited from overnight rainfall, and as of Sunday morning, the U.S. Forest Service updated the status of the fire, remaining at 225 acres with hopes for increased moisture to aid in control line construction, as reported by WVLT. The Forest Service shared, “Crews are on the ground today evaluating the impact from rainfall overnight,” officials said. “Firefighters are taking advantage of increased moisture levels and are continuing efforts to construct and reinforce control lines. Fire officials are optimistic of seeing an increase in containment levels today.”
No residential structures have yet to be threatened, but officials maintain a wary optimism, asking for the public's cooperation in keeping the roads clear for first responders. "The public is advised to avoid the area to allow fire crews unimpeded access as they work," as stated by the Grassy Fork Volunteer Fire Department in communication with WBIR. Continuing support comes from the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office, and additional aid as needed is on hand to battle the still uncontained wildfire.
