After the National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook and red flag warning due to hurricane-force gusts and high fire risk in the area, Elkmont and Cades Cove campgrounds were closed....A red flag warning was in effect until the afternoon of Nov. 21 for the Smokies, which means very low humidity and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger. Last night, wind gusts were expected to increase to between 40 and 70 mph at night, with up to 80 mph gusts possible in some locations.During these high-risk conditions, a wildfire broke out the evening of Nov. 20 in the Tennessee side of the park near Rich Mountain Road.... The cause of the fire is under investigation, and no structures or properties were threatened as of Nov. 20. However, an early-morning voluntary evacuation of homes near the park boundary in Blount County, Tennessee, was conducted on Nov. 21, officials say.The Great Smoky Mountains is currently under a burn ban, prohibiting all campfires and charcoal use until further notice. However, that didn’t stop one woman from intentionally setting two fires, which were quickly extinguished by park officials along a road in the North Carolina portion of the Great Smokies.The woman was arrested, with federal and state charges pending.
She was smart to set it on the North Carolina side; in Tennessee, it's a $2500 fine and a year in jail. Here it's $100 and about $180 in court costs. I don't know what the Federal charges look like.
* OK, it's an hour away by the shortest route, an hour and a half by the prettier one, but...
4 comments:
* OK, it's an hour away by the shortest route, an hour and a half by the prettier one, but...
Here in Texas, that's right next door.
Sucks about the fires and fire threat. I hope the relevant authorities, regarding that woman, include in the penalty putting her on the fire line for the duration of the next wildfire. If the firemen on either side of her could stand that.
Eric Hines
Here in Texas, that's right next door.
The major difference lies in how far it is you can travel in 1.5 hours here! In Texas I imagine that will take you close to 100 miles in any direction, unless you have to get bogged down in city traffic. It's only sixty miles to Smokemont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by the pretty route.
Google Maps says 66 miles, and estimates 2+ hours to get there. I guess I ride a little faster than they estimate.
Sounds like me and driving, Grim. :)
That, and knowing the back routes that avoid known slow points on major roads. (Semi-permanent road construction that has lasted longer than "The world's oldest semi-permanent floating craps game.")
LittleRed1
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