2016-12-11 Udate Chimney Tops 2 Fire
Incident: Cobbly Nob Wildfire
Released: 12/11/2016
Incident Summary: The Chimney Tops 2 Fire was reported in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, TN on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at approximately 5:20 pm. The wildfire began burning in a remote location (Chimney Tops) of the park in steep terrain with vertical cliffs and narrow rocky ridges making access to the wildfire area difficult for firefighting efforts. On Monday, November 28, exceptional drought conditions and extreme winds caused the wildfire to grow rapidly, causing many new wildfire starts from embers carried miles away and downed powerlines in and adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Cobbly Nob Fire was one of these fires. On Wednesday, December 7 the Sevier County District Attorney announced that two juveniles from Tennessee, who are not residents of Sevier County, were arrested in connection with the fire. Although these arrests have been made, the investigation into this incident is still ongoing.
The fires continued to stay within the established containment lines. Chimney Tops 2 Fire acreage increased to 17,136 due to more accurate mapping. The Cobbly Nob Fire acreage remained unchanged at 764 acres. Containment remained the same for Chimney Tops 2 at 94% and Cobbly Nob at 96%. Some heat still exists well within the fire perimeter and smoke may to be seen from these areas from time to time. Firefighters will continue to patrol and mop up any hot spots that may be a threat to the containment lines or structures. Rehabilitation work of established dozer containment lines began today on the Cobbly Nob fire. The work will include establishing water bars on slopes to help prevent future erosion.
Cherokee Orchard Road remains closed within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as will trails within the fire-affected area (see list below).
Public Information Officers continue to be on site at Sugarlands Visitor Center and at Carlos Campbell Overlook to answer questions regarding the fire.
The South Atlantic Incident Management Team is hosted by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is supporting the park with fire suppression and management of the incident within park boundaries of both the Chimney Tops 2 and Cobbly Nob fires. The Tennessee Division of Forestry is conducting fire suppression and management outside of park boundaries. Firefighters with both operations will continue to monitor and patrol the fires and provide structure protection, if needed, until the fires are 100% contained.
Chimney Tops 2
Start Date: Nov 23 Size: 17,136 Containment: 94%
Cobbly Nob
Start Date: Nov 28 Size: 764 Containment: 96%
Incident Resources: 6 hand crews, 15 engines, 1 helicopter, 209 total personnel
Weather: Temperatures will begin to warm today along with potential wind gusts up to 25mph ahead of the next approaching system. Rain showers move in late tonight ahead of a cold front with chances for rain continuing through at least Wednesday.
Road Closure Status: Cherokee Orchard Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains closed.
Trail Closure Status: Chimney Tops Trail, Road Prong Trail, Sugarland Mountain Trail from Mt Collins Shelter to Little River Road, Huskey Gap Trail, Rough Creek Trail, Old Sugarlands Trail, Twin Creeks Trail, Baskins Creek Trail, Bull Head Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, Trillium Gap Trail, Grapeyard Ridge Trail from Campsite 32 to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Gatlinburg Trail, Cove Mountain Trail, Sugarland Valley Nature Trail, Noah Bud Ogle Nature Trail, Cove Hardwood Nature Trail, the Sugarlands Horse Concession trails, and the quiet walkways along Newfound Gap Road.
All park campsites that are normally open this time of year are open, with the exception of Campsite 21 on Huskey Gap Trail.
Be vigilant while driving; emergency vehicles and personnel may be working in areas open to the public.
