East Tennessee Smokies Fire - Damage is done but rains came

[Nic in Western NYS]

http://knoxne.ws/2gCBQbw

Thankful for a big rainstorm coming today for the whole region.  The 80+mph wind gusts hit eastern Tennessee at the height of the drought and brought embers from fires to the downtown area.  100 buildings destroyed in Gatlinburg.  We've been dealing with fires all season in western NC but Gatlinburg TN took it square.
Several of the fires here have been arson.
I've never appreciated clean air so much as now, after this season of smoke and fire.

[ccoli]

We arrived in Gatlinburg  Monday, but never got up to our Chalet. Staying with guzzi friends in Knoxville. Waiting to see when we can get up to check out the house. Doesn't look real good for the house.
Have several friends that have lost everything. Pretty sure that our pal Keith has lost his 98ev.

[Thunderbutt]

WE are back in Florida now and have been keeping in daily contact with our neighbors back in Hiawassee.  The fires over by Tate City, Ga. came within 3 miles of our place.  Placed everyone on our road on "Pre-Evacuation Notice".  Luckily the wind died down for a few days then shifted slightly allowing them to get it contained.
The neighbors said it finally rained Sunday night, a slow soaker, not the down pours that just run off.  That was the first rain since the last hurricane went up the east coast back in Sept. 
My heart goes out to those folks up in Tenn.

[mauricedonini]

Consider changing this topic's title.  Read kinda funny to me.

Fires in the Tennessee Smokies 
Started by Nic in Western NC

 

[LowRyter]

We arrived in Gatlinburg  Monday, but never got up to our Chalet. Staying with guzzi friends in Knoxville. Waiting to see when we can get up to check out the house. Doesn't look real good for the house.
Have several friends that have lost everything. Pretty sure that our pal Keith has lost his 98ev.

Bev and I were thinking about you.  Best of luck. 

[Nic in Western NYS]

Consider changing this topic's title.  Read kinda funny to me.

Fires in the Tennessee Smokies 
Started by Nic in Western NC

 

Jeez!  Thanks!

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

It's crazy. Never seen smoke cover the area like this....  Looked like western MT during peak summer fire season just last week. Thankfully the rain has come and seems to be sticking around.

[Kev m]

I've not been reading a ton of news, but I've not seen many reports except when fire reached Pigeon Forge and summer nearby aquarium?

Looks rough.

Glad everyone is OK.

[bad Chad]

Fingers crossed.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I've not been reading a ton of news, but I've not seen many reports except when fire reached Pigeon Forge and summer nearby aquarium?

Looks rough.

Glad everyone is OK.

More info coming out in the aftermath... during the event a lot of roads were closed even to media. It's a damn mess for sure. up to 7 dead so far, 100's of structures burned. Many, many cabins and homes in remote areas lost.

[Lannis]

We're spending most of this coming weekend gathering up supplies for smoked-out Tennesseans via "Gleaning for the World".   

You don't think of some of the things they need until someone tells you.   Eye drops, pet food, and blankets are in demand ....

Lannis

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Could this be why they call them the Smokey Mountains?
 I read that with the high winds the fire spread so fast that some people evacuated without even their wallets or cell phones.  That's a bad one!

[LowRyter]

still haven't heard from Chris.

[Nic in Western NYS]

  Could this be why they call them the Smokey Mountains?
 I read that with the high winds the fire spread so fast that some people evacuated without even their wallets or cell phones.  That's a bad one!

From trails.com: Named for the blue fog or mist that hangs over the mountains and in the valleys, the Smokies were originally settled by the Cherokee. Shaconage, or “place of the blue smoke,” is what they called this range of the Appalachians.

https://www.trails.com/facts_40046_why-they-called-smoky-mountains.html

Looks like the blue color comes from volatile organic compounds, that are released in very high quantities over this forest due to the density of old vegetation:

http://www.visitmysmokies.com/blog/smoky-mountains/what-makes-the-smoky-mountains-smoky/

As someone who lives on the side of what was a very dry mountain, the speed of the Gatlinburg fire was scary.  I'm not surprised that it left 11 people dead in that small town.  The power and magnitude of natural forces in this part of the world is awe inspiring in many ways.

We're looking to see how we can help those folks across the mountains.

[ccoli]

still haven't heard from Chris.

We're fine. Staying with relatives until we can get in to see the wreckage. We know for sure that our place is a total loss. We do have insurance.
Many friends lost everything and had no coverage. Our pal Keith lost "Pebbles",his 98ev. Had liability but no Comp.

[bad Chad]

Sorry to hear that Chris.   Thank god for insurance, hope it goes relatively smoothly.

Poor Pebbles, he really seemed to love that bike!

Wow, it appears from the pic that the fire was so hot it completely melted the alloy wheels to nothing!

[Sasquatch Jim]

It seems to have partially melted some of the engine too.
I can just see the Craigs' list ad, " some smoke damage, it ran when I parked it."

[Kev m]

We're fine. Staying with relatives until we can get in to see the wreckage. We know for sure that our place is a total loss. We do have insurance.
Many friends lost everything and had no coverage. Our pal Keith lost "Pebbles",his 98ev. Had liability but no Comp.

How do people feel about a go-fund me page to support Keith's bike recovery?

[Murray]

How do people feel about a go-fund me page to support Keith's bike recovery?

As a general idea its good but I'd consult Keith, a bike might be the least of his immediate needs.

[Kev m]

As a general idea its good but I'd consult Keith, a bike might be the least of his immediate needs.

Sure, agreed, but my initial reaction would be that we're not here to solve all his problems, still we're ready to help with that one.

Maybe the prudent thing to do is to wait and ask ccoli to monitor the situation and let us know if and when the time is right to help with the luxuries (bikes).

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
And I just hit town and my throat was dry
I thought I'd stop and have myself a brew
At an old saloon on a street of mud
There at a table, dealing stud
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me "Sue"

[ccoli]

He would be overwhelmed!
Dolly Parton has offered  $1000 a month for 6 months folks that lost their  everything. That won't replace a bike though.

Sure, agreed, but my initial reaction would be that we're not here to solve all his problems, still we're ready to help with that one.

Maybe the prudent thing to do is to wait and ask ccoli to monitor the situation and let us know if and when the time is right to help with the luxuries (bikes).

[Kev m]

He would be overwhelmed!
Dolly Parton has offered  $1000 a month for 6 months folks that lost their  everything. That won't replace a bike though.

Monitor what is going on and PM me when you think it's time to try and do something.

[ccoli]

Here is what's left of our place in Gatlinburg. The guy in the one photo is our insurance adjuster. Still limited access to the area as there are probably more victims and lots of power lines on the ground. Not sure if we are going to wait around or just pack up and head home.

We are very grateful for all your concerns and the fact that we, by chance, did not get up there. We turned back just in time.

[LowRyter]

Chris. Glad you're insured and that's your second home.  Still, it's a tough blow and a challenge to get right.

Even worse for your friend. 

[Kev m]

Wow, just wow. Hope nothing lost was irreplaceable, but it sounds like the important things (you guys) are OK.

[bad Chad]

I'm sure glad you guys are safe, too scary.   I think a go fund me is a great idea for Keith.  Let us know Kev if you get something going.

[Gliderjohn]

Man, that was a bad one. Hope things go as smooth as possible putting your lives back together.
GliderJohn

[ccoli]

Keith has shown interest in getting another California. If we could get him a portion of the cost and find him a nice one, he would be awed. I think he'd like a 99 with the p16 computer. I'll donate if someone could start the process.

[Kev m]

Absolutely, let's PM. I've never set up a go fund me page but that seems like the way to go. I'm in.