National Park Wildfire More Than Doubles in Size

A wildfire in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has doubled in size in one day’s time.
The Flint Gap Fire ignited near Hannah Mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Monday evening, a Wednesday press release from the National Park Service said. At that time, the fire measured roughly 10 acres in size, but the flames have more than doubled since then. The most recent update from the NPS estimates the fire to be around 23 acres.
In the press release, the NPS said that additional firefighting resources had arrived on Thursday to combat the flames.
“Two suppression modules are assisting with initial attack today. An additional module will arrive tomorrow. The fire is now estimated to be about 23 acres and is burning primarily in undergrowth in steep terrain.”
Newsweek reached out to the NPS by email for additional comment.
On Wednesday, the Tennessee National Guard assisted fire suppression efforts with aviation support. The guard dropped 38 buckets, or 25,000 gallons of water, on the fire.
“Today, a Type 3 Helicopter will assist with reconnaissance and will assess opportunities for ground crews to safely access the fire,” the NPS said.
In its update, the NPS said no structures are threatened by the flames, although several closures have been implemented because of potential fire danger. Closures are in place at backcountry campsites 14, 15 and 16; Parson Branch Road; Rabbit Creek Trail from Abrams Creek to Cades Cove; and Hannah Mountain Trail from Parson Branch Road to Little Bottom Trail.
“The park received a report of the fire near Hannah Mountain, south of Abrams Creek, the evening of Aug. 26,” the NPS said. “The cause of the fire is still under investigation.”
Near-record heat was reported this week in eastern Tennessee. National Weather Service meteorologist Nathan Wellington previously told Newsweek that although hot temperatures don’t help wildfires, it is early in Tennessee’s wildfire season, meaning that longer-term fuels such as trees haven’t dried out yet.
Temperatures were high again on Thursday, with some cities within the NWS Morristown, Tennessee, forecast area expecting triple digits. There’s a high chance rain will fall in the area this weekend, and cooler temperatures are expected next week.
“Relief is on the Way! Near record heat through Friday,” the NWS office in Morristown posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Then, a cold front moves through this weekend bringing showers and storms to the area. Cooler temperatures are expected next week behind the cold front.”
An air quality alert, a hazardous weather outlook and a special weather statement are in place in eastern Tennessee where the fire is located.