Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — The National Park Service said Thursday no campfires could be lit in the Great Smoky Mountains, and visitors could not use charcoal as wildfires continue igniting throughout East Tennessee and in North Carolina.
According to a release from NPS, the fire restriction will be in place until further notice. It is active on both the Tennessee side and the North Carolina side of the park.
While traditional campfires and charcoal grills may not be allowed, the NPS said campers, backpackers and visitors in picnic areas could still use cookstoves with compressed gas canisters, as well as grills that have an on and off switch. Visitors who use compressed gas to cook need to make sure their stoves and grills are attended to at all times.
Fires were ignited across East Tennessee this week as dry conditions helped leaves and pines accumulate in the area, acting as fuel for stray embers and fires that could quickly spread. A fire in Cumberland County engulfed condo buildings on Wednesday and displaced community members, who sought shelter in different spots across Crab Orchard.
"Carelessness is probably the biggest cause of outdoor fires right now, and not adhering to the warnings that officials put out there," said Jeff Bagwell, a spokesperson for Rural Metro in Knox County.
Throughout the week, crews responded to fires in Sevier County, Knox County, Union County and more. In Sevier County, Dollywood also briefly stopped visitors from entering the park as a fire burned near Pigeon Forge.
A part of the Appalachian Trail was also closed in the Cherokee National Forest due to a wildfire near the North Carolina state line on I-40. It was closed from the Davenport Gap and the mutual boundary edge of Great Smoky National Park to Max Patch, including the parking area.