An evacuation was ordered for anyone within two miles from Parkside Resort in Pigeon Forge due to a fast-moving brush fire, according to officials with the Sevier County Dispatch.
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) - An evacuation was ordered Thursday for residents in Pigeon Forge after a rapidly escalating brush fire that officials are calling the Pine Mountain Fire and it has since been withdrawn.
According to the Savior Company Emergency Management Agency, the fire was spread over 30 to 40 acres and by Thursday night 45% had been brought under control.
A representative from the Sevier County Sheriff's Office originally told WVLT News that the Pine Mountain Fire was triggered by a structure fire that started earlier in the day that was spread by wind. Officials later said they believed the structure fire was a separate fire later, not related to the Pine Mountain Fire. According to the deputy, the cause of the fire in the structure and brush was not yet known as of Thursday night.
The Sevier County Dispatch told WVLT News that there was an evacuation two miles from Parkside Resort near Little Cove Road and Pine Mountain Road.
Dandridge Fire Department employees, along with other Jefferson County fire departments, were escorted to the fire to assist the Savior Company Wildland Task Force.
"Upon arriving in the area, they will get their job done helping fellow firefighters who have already been on the scene for several hours," said Dandridge Fire Department officials.
Employees of the Pigeon Forge Fire Department were prepared to stay out all night to ensure that about 50 firefighters were working on the fire to douse the fire.
"If this goes on, we already know we'll be here for as long as we need to," said Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Tony Watson. "It could be 1 to 3 o'clock right, it could be all night. But we will come back tomorrow and keep a close eye on that, but we will be back here tomorrow at 10 o'clock, but as long as it continues to rain, we will be here today." You can get some sleep at night.
A temporary shelter has been set up at 170 Community Center Drive at Pigeon Forge Community Center.