Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — Efforts remain ongoing to put out fires in the Great Smoky Mountains. The National Park Service said some suppression modules are helping with putting out the Flint Gap fire.
The park said on Friday that after "more accurate mapping," the fire was estimated to be around 16.3 acres. A release from the National Park Service said crews could walk the perimeter and map the fire on Thursday, collecting more accurate data.
Previously, the park said it was burning primarily in undergrowth in steep terrain. A Type 3 Helicopter is helping scan the area and find opportunities for ground crews to safely access the fire.
On Wednesday, the Tennessee National Guard provided aviation support and dropped 38 buckets, or 25,000 gallons, of water on the fire. On Thursday, members said it dumped a total of 81 buckets, or around 54,000 gallons, of water on the fire.
"We're helping to keep the fire from growing. We're kind of working in the green vs. in the black, is what they call it. The black is where the fire is already burned, and the green is to help where the live fuel is," said one guardsman. "We're excited. We get to serve our community, serve our country, get the fire cut out as quickly as possible."
Due to potential fire danger, the park closed the following areas:
- Backcountry campsites 14, 15 and 16
- Parson Branch Road
- Rabbit Creek Trail from Abrams Creek to Cades Cove
- Hannah Mountain Trail from Parson Branch Road to Little Bottom Trail
NPS has not reported any structures that were affected by the fire.
This is a developing story.
