Statewide Severe Weather & Sevier County Wildfire

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fire crews in Sevier County are now facing two wildfires in the Wears Valley and Seymour communities.

• Links to recovery information and resources available on TEMA’s website, Sevier County Wildfire Recovery, and Mountain Tough.

• A State of Emergency remains in place in Tennessee with the SEOC in Nashville continuing to operate.

CURRENT SITUATION

Local, state, and federal fire crews continue efforts to contain and extinguish the 3,700-acre Wears Valley wildfire in Sevier County.

Some rain and colder temps are helping crews maintain the fire’s 30 percent containment.

However, gusty winds in the area, drier conditions this weekend, and no rain in the forecast until Tuesday mean the existing wildfires continue to pose a threat to lives and property, and the potential exists for new wildfires to start.

Additionally, fire crews are addressing an 800-acre wildfire near the Seymour community of Sevier County. This wildfire is about 5 miles northwest of the Wears Valley wildfire and is not currently contained.

In West Tennessee, local and state emergency officials conducted damage assessments yesterday in Carroll, Fayette, and Madison counties conducted damage assessments yesterday, and continue to compile information on the impact of the severe storms Wednesday. 

The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville continues its operations today and a State of Emergency remains in place. 

WILDFIRE RECOVERY RESOURCES

• Both TEMA’s Sevier County Wildfire Recovery webpage and Mountain Tough website have information on how to help wildfire survivors and residents of the Wears Valley community.

• The Tennessee Dept. of Commerce and Insurance has a team in place at the Sevier County Fairgrounds, 753 Old Knoxville Highway, in Sevierville, beginning today who will be able to assist those affected by the Wears Valley wildfire to file insurance claims.

• TEMA encourages those who would like to help to make a financial donation to a relief organization, such as Mountain Tough or American Red Cross, as the best way to help those in need.  Insurance claim help and information from TDCI is also available by calling 615-741-2218, or 1-800-342-4029, and on TDCI’s website.

• Sevier County is accepting donations of specific items, on specific days at the Sevier County Fairgrounds.  Please see this Mountain Tough webpage for the specific donation times and the items only accepted for donation.

• The Pigeon Forge Community Center continues to operate as an evacuee shelter at 170 Community Center Drive, in Pigeon Forge.

KEY MESSAGES

• Be sure to prevent the development of fires and wildfires:
  • Do not throw smoking materials into brush or leaves.
  • Build campfires only where allowed.
  • Never build a campfire in hazardous or dry conditions.
  • Do not burn trash or other items during dry or windy conditions.
  • Check local regulations to see if a permit is required to burn material.
  • Select a burn site away from powerlines, buildings, vehicles, equipment and other flammable objects.

• If you’ve been evacuated, only return to your home when local officials announce it is safe to return.

• Be mindful of low visibility in smoky conditions, and drive with your headlights on.

• Follow the instructions of emergency officials.

• Have multiple ways to receive weather and news information, especially weather watches and warnings.

WEATHER FORECAST

• Memphis:  Mostly sunny and 58 today.

• Nashville: Sunny and cool today with a high of 57.

• Knoxville: Mostly sunny with a high of 58 today.

• Chattanooga:  Sunny to partly cloudy today with a high of 65.