‘Worst possible conditions’: Thousands flee as flames engulf Tennessee resort towns'

[bobabode]

"Fire is still raging through two Tennessee tourist towns on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, along with much of the surrounding timberlands.
Officials said the blaze — which started on the Chimney Tops mountain, one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Smokies — spread Monday to the quaint resort towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. By that night, winds had climbed to 87 mph — carrying away fiery embers and knocking power lines down to dry ground; then “everything was catching on fire,” Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller said." WaPo

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...mepage%2Fstory

Damn. Looks like California.

[donquixote99]

Hope no one was hurt.

That said, a big fire was the best thing that could happen to Gatliinburg.

[catswiththum]

Dollywood is hideous, but a lot of people are going to lose their homes and businesses.

The surrounding countryside is beautiful - years ago I drove the whole state east to west, hit the Gatlinburg area during the first snowfall of winter - some spectacular views.

[donquixote99]

A lot of beautiful forest is being lost, and of course I am mindful of sad loss to many people. Meanwhile, I read that central Gatlinburg, the part I most want razed, is 'safe.'

[Tom Joad]

Looks bad. I hope Potter is OK. He lives in that area.

[JJIII]

I think Potter is north and east of there and should be OK.

This will make your hair stand up...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpQjKdIR6vk

[Oerets]

Our local weather showed rain heading there today. But high winds also.


Barney

[MrPots]

Originally Posted by JJIII

I think Potter is north and east of there and should be OK.

This will make your hair stand up...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpQjKdIR6vk

I need a drink after that.....

I'm OK, thanks for asking Tom. We're about 80 miles east of Gatlinburg.

[BlueStreak]

There was a video on Facebook that has since been taken down. It's footage of people trying to escape the fire........driving the wrong way. Going into the fire and getting stuck. It's ends with the words; "Oh my God, we are so fucked.".

Not good.

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

There was a video on Facebook that has since been taken down. It's footage of people trying to escape the fire........driving the wrong way. Going into the fire and getting stuck. It's ends with the words; "Oh my God, we are so fucked.".

Not good.

Sounds like a clip from the one JJ posted, edited to look super-ominous.