GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT)—A fire in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park grew and prompted the closure of some campsites, trails, and a road. According to park representatives, it was started by a lightning strike.
The fire was first reported at about two acres large, Management Assistant Katie Liming told WVLT News Tuesday. Since then, park representatives said it had grown to 23 acres, with the latest update saying the fire had been mapped at 16.3 acres.
The mapping showed the fire to be 17 acres in size, officials said.
Liming said that crews had been ordered to fight it from the air and ground.
Park officials said Tuesday that ground crews and a helicopter were used to fight the fire. Crews are monitoring fire activity and working to identify areas where they can safely confine and contain the fire. No structures were threatened.
Blackhawk helicopters from Knoxville’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion to help fight the fire from above Tuesday. Thursday, the park announced that two suppression modules had been deployed to help fight the fire, with another scheduled to arrive Friday.
The helicopters departed from McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base with Bambi Buckets to use hundreds of gallons of water to fight the fire.
“Each aircraft made multiple trips throughout the afternoon, picking up water from nearby water sources and transporting it directly to the needed area,” officials said. “The aircrews delivered more than 40 bucket loads of water, totaling nearly 8,000 gallons.”
Three of the helicopters continued to assist throughout the day and into the night on Wednesday.
“The Tennessee National Guard is prepared to continue supporting the firefighting efforts as long as needed,” officials said.
The following are still closed:
- Backcountry campsites 14, 15 and 16
- Parson Branch Road
- Rabbit Creek Trail from Abrams Creek to Cades Cove
- Hannah Mountain Trail from Parson Branch Road to Little Bottom Trail
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