Earlier this week, the Gatlinburg Fire Department contained a wildfire that burned about two acres near Wiley Oakley Drive and Greenbriar Lane. The fire was reported around noon yesterday, and fire crews from the Sevier County Fire Department, Pigeon Forge Fire Department, and Tennessee Division of Forestry assisted with the response, according to WVLT.
Due to dry conditions and high fire risk, the region is under a comprehensive burn ban. Gatlinburg Fire Chief Charlie Cole said, "Our firefighters have worked tirelessly to contain the fire and protect the area," according to a statement obtained by WATE. The ban is a response to low humidity and lack of precipitation, which have led to high fire danger.
The two-acre fire threatened at least three structures. Firefighters established a containment line and worked to prevent the fire from spreading or rekindling. The situation remains under monitoring, as reported by WBIR.
A Red Flag Warning was in effect yesterday for several counties, including Gatlinburg, due to conditions that could allow fires to spread rapidly. With burn permits suspended, the public has been urged to avoid activities that could start a fire.
