[GMAN]

Fires have been destroying thousands of acres of woods for the last several weeks in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia. Tennessee, around Chattanooga, got about 1 1/2" rain last night. Winds were in excess of 50 mph. Gatlinburg, TN is burning. This evening over 400 homes and businesses have been destroyed. I don't think that Gatlinburg got any of the rain, or not much. Winds were in excess of 87 mph. That is really pushing the flames. If you are not familiar with Gatlinburg, it is surrounded by the Smoky Mountains. It is a shame the town is being destroyed. Dollywood, in nearby Pigeon Forge, barely missed being destroyed. Tourists and residents have had to flee for their lives. This has been the worst hit area for the fires. There has been a drought in much of the southeast and it hasn't rained in more than 2 months in most of the area. Many of the fires have been arson. I only know of one locally that was started by lightening. I would ask for prayers for those affected by this disaster. If you are driving near these areas, be alert. Smoke from these fires can make it difficult to see and breathe. Smoke can be as thick as heavy fog.

[Mr. Ford95]

Its bad for a lot of the surrounding area of Gatlinburg but the town itself is fine. I'm hoping the couple we rent a cabin from are OK and safe. They were right beside the Alamo Steakhouse which is no more.......also hoping the cabin is OK, from reports, Black Bear Falls community was destroyed, that's less than a mile to the Southwest and next ridge over. But, it overlooked the Craft village which is said to be a-ok, so we have hope. Scary how fast it moved from a small 5 acre fire to a firestorm. Most had only minutes to leave and some had no warning at all. I fear more dead will be found. As any Hotshot or Jumper can tell you, flames being pushed by 40-80mph winds are a death sentence, you can't outrun it on foot and even cars would have trouble getting away. At least they got rain to help. .5 to .75 of an inch fell just after the firestorm, another 1-2 inches were expected last night with more this morning. I saw a report of 70 buildings destroyed in Wears Valley...........that's the entire small town! Those folks had no place to go if it swarmed over them suddenly which is very possible. The mountains sit right on top of them on all sides and it's open fields on the valley, not a good recipe.

Up my way, the large Amherst fire seems to have settled down, bunch of rain last 2 days have helped a ton after it suddenly tripled in size a week ago in just an hour.

Crazy thing is the Pros from out West are over here fighting these fires. Even they have been surprised at the magnitude of the fires here. Of course, fighting wildfires here are a totally different beast, takes a lot more work to put up fire lines.

[GMAN]

Heavy rains fell on states being ravaged by forest fires. Southeast Tennessee got over 5" of rain. The rain, coupled with winds that blew as high as 50-60 mph, helped to put out fires that have plagued the are for weeks. Gatlinburg, TN was hardest hit with winds as high as 87 mph. The rain storm traveled from Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. The heavy rain, coupled with efforts from firefighters have finally put out the fires in Sevier county, which is where Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are located. The current damage is over 15,000 acres of forest have been destroyed along with over 400 homes and businesses. The latest body count is at 13 for the Gatlinburg area. As if that isn't enough, tornadoes hit near Ider, Alabama (Jackson country) and McMinn county, Tennessee, killing and injuring several more along with a lot of property damage. Both of these communities that were hit are near Chattanooga, TN. It is a sad holiday season for hundreds of families in the tri-state area. Thanks to those on the front lines that risked their lives to help those who were in danger.

[Mr. Ford95]

Well, still hoping to hear good news, the interactive map shows our favorite cabin might be OK, but only by about 200 feet. Looks like the fire climbed right up to it then turned left and went due north over the ridge......14 dead, 1,750 houses/businesses damaged or destroyed,17,000 acres scorched at best estimates. The mayor can count on us to be back in the summer when they are really up and running again!