UPDATE: Sevier County Mayor says wildfire spans 3,700 acres; 5 percent contained
Sevier County Mayor, Larry Waters, says in a conference Thursday morning that the Hatcher Mountain fire just outside of Pigeon Forge has affected 3,700 acres of land and is 5 percent contained. The mayor and Sevier County Emergency Management says no deaths or missing people have been reported.
Officials estimate more than one hundred structures have been impacted by the fire, and nearly 11,000 homes were evacuated. Additionally, The Tennessee National Guard is providing six Blackhawk helicopters to assist in firefighting efforts. Mayor Water says for now, evacuation orders in the Wears Valley area are still in place as numerous local and regional agencies continue to battle the blaze.
(Images: Tusculum Volunteer Fire Department)