Sevier County Fires Tuesday Evening Update

On Wednesday, December 7, property owners, business owners, renters, and lease holders will be allowed to return to full-time occupancy beginning at 7:00 a.m. through the East Parkway (Hwy. 321) entry point. The curfew will then be in effect from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. on both Wednesday and Thursday. Delivery trucks (food service, etc.) may enter through the East Parkway (Hwy. 321) entry point and the Spur entrance checkpoint to Gatlinburg.  Only delivery trucks can enter through the Spur checkpoint.
 
The City of Gatlinburg plans to reopen for business and to the general public on Friday, December 9 at 7:00 a.m. Major roadways are expected to be open, but some city roadways may remain closed to accommodate utility work. More information will be provided throughout the week.
 
Local officials have provided the following update:

• To date, there are 14 confirmed fatalities. The following individual has been newly identified: Robert A. Hejny, age 63, discovered at Traveler's Motel in Gatlinburg, TN.
• To date, there have been 160 injuries/illnesses.
• 1,785 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fire.
• There are currently 24 crews, 45 engines, 4 helicopters, 2 dozers, 719 total personnel fighting the Chimney Top 2 Fire as a part of the Type 1 Federal Incident Management Team.
• The Chimney Top 2 Fire is estimated to be 58% contained. The Cobbly Nob Fire is estimated to be 53% contained.
• The Spur parkway is open only from Pigeon Forge to the Gatlinburg Welcome Center.
• Wiley Oakley Drive and Cliff Branch Road remain inaccessible due to critical utility work. Emergency crews are working to open it as soon as possible.
• The Water Boil Advisory is still in effect for the following areas in Gatlinburg: Ski Mountain, Chalet Village, Greystone Heights, and Campbell Lead areas. The Water Boil Advisory was lifted for the downtown area.
• Water usage from the firefighting activities and loss from fire-damaged structures has greatly affected the water supply. Due to the substantial loss of water in certain storage tanks and water lines it may appear cloudy or discolored for a period of time. Running a substantial amount of water through all outlets in the plumbing system should expel the discoloration within a period of time. The water supply for the downtown area has stabilized and is at full capacity. Water service in the east Gatlinburg area was not affected by this event.
• Due to severe fire damage to certain water system pumping stations, the following residential areas are temporarily still out of water service:
  • Greystone Heights Road
  • Cliff Branch Road,
  • Loop Road
  • Topside Drive and Topside Road
  • Little Fox Road
  • Forest Springs Drive and Forest Springs Lane
  • Spring Drive
  • Silverbell Heights
  • Silverbell Lane (above intersection with Loop Road)
  • Foothills Drive
  • Kings Way, both sides and outside city limits
  • Colt Lane
  • Mountain Stream Way (Gatlinburg Falls PUD)
  • Gatlinburg Falls Way  (Gatlinburg Falls PUD)
  • Great Smoky Way  (Gatlinburg Falls PUD)