Gatlinburg fire in the Smokey's

[dredgeguy]

Gunny hope all is well with you. I see the Park Vista hotel that we stayed at during the last Mountain Run was lost today. Thoughts and prayers for all:Eagle:

[RussMcB]

Wow. I heard about Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge being evacuated. Didn't think about the Park Vista.

This short video shows where we had dinner:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1enWie239o

[Gunny]

All is well (for the most part). We were in Rabun County most of last week where several hundred firefighters have been trying to contain a major blaze covering a good portion of the county as well as a good portion into North Carolina. It's raining there now so that should bring some relief.

We were also in the area during the first week of Nov. The fires were already starting at that time with a large one just north of Dry Falls outside of Highlands (where we had lunch last year). The large fire west of Franklin was out of control and is the one that that connected with the Rabun County fires in N. Georgia.

Smoke has been a problem for residents but we only experienced breathing issues the last day before returning home.

I took a number of photos but none up close & personal ... actually, I didn't have any desire to be any closer to the action. Here are a couple.

http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=355&pictureid=3108
Rabun County Fire viewed from Popcorn Overlook on US-76 west of Clayton - Fri. PM 11/25/16. Center of fire approx 8 miles north of where photo was taken. There are no roads in this area - firefighters had to hike in & carry all their equipment. Rough conditions. We stopped at this location on Day 2 of Mountain Run 2.


http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=355&pictureid=3109
NW view from Sky Valley Overlook taken Sat. AM 11/26/16. Most of the right side of the pic is in NC and the left portion is in GA. I think we stopped at this overlook in MR1 & MR2 - it's just below my house when driving down to the valley. Photo taken about 5-6 miles away from the fire.

[ZR1North]

Happy to see you're ok, Gunny. Great shots as always.

[FU]

Hope that rain helps out a bit and give you the needed relief .

[Ami Workman]

I am hearing it is raining today. Has it helped? Glad to know you and your wife are ok, Gunny!

[Roadster]

Hope everyone in the outlying areas is safe, sad pics to see....

[Gunny]

According to news reports the rain has helped, allowing workers better access to all the affected areas. It's my understanding that there were several deaths related to the fires but also some rescue stories of survivors.

We are tentatively planning on returning to the mountains in a couple of weeks and if the roads have opened back up by that time we may attempt to drive to Gatlinburg to survey the damage.

I already had plans underway for MR5 that did include the Gatlinburg area but those plans will likely need to be adjusted accordingly. MR5 is still in the works and should be better than ever, but I suspect we won't have dinner at the Park Vista.

[Ami Workman]

Well, they have arrested and charged two teens from this horrible tragedy and depending on all the charges, will likely be charged as adults...14 deaths, the last I had heard...

[haber rj]

Wow what a tragedy we were in Nashville 2 weeks and heard about this it's a shame, sure hope that the people that are affected are ok very sorry to the families who lost love ones.