Tennessee wildfire loss News

Officials: Failed Communications Hampered Tennessee Wildfire Response

Newly released records show failed communication systems hampered the response to deadly wildfires in Tennessee last fall. Records that Sevier County began to release Wednesday show that wind and fire on Nov. 28 combined to disable cell towers, melt fiber-optic …

Tennesee Mountain Community Getting Back on Its Feet After Devastating Wildfire

“Mountain Tough” was a slogan Mayor Mike Werner of Gatlinburg, Tenn. proclaimed in the aftermath of a Nov. 28 blaze that destroyed or damaged more than 2,400 structures, caused more than $1 billion in damages and killed 14 people. “This …

Dolly Parton Fund Aids 921 Tennessee Wildfire Victims

Dolly Parton’s My People Fund has issued monthly checks to 921 people who lost their homes in deadly wildfires that ravaged East Tennessee last year. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that Dollywood Foundation President David Dotson said the fund received …

Dolly Parton Telethon Raises $9M for Tennessee Wildfire Victims

Dolly Parton says a star-studded telethon for those affected by recent wildfires in her native Tennessee has brought in about $9 million. Parton headlined the event on Dec. 13 that was broadcast on several cable networks and livestreamed online. Parton …

Dolly Parton Organizing Telethon for Wildfire Victims in Tennessee

Country icon Dolly Parton has organized a musical telethon to raise money for victims of the Tennessee wildfires that destroyed more than 1,700 homes in the resort town of Gatlinburg. The event, which will air Dec. 13 on Great American …

Loss from Tennessee Wildfire Estimated at $12 MIllion

Sevier County, Tennessee authorities estimate the loss in a wildfire earlier this month at about $12 million. The Mountain Press reported the figure includes only the value of the cabins destroyed or damaged in the March 17 fire at Black …