High winds last Wednesday had local firefighters scrambling after downed powerlines and careless acts sparked several brush fires around the county. Several homes were in danger, but fire crews and local residents were able to contain the fires.
According to DeKalb Fire Chief Donny Green, in the Four Seasons area, at around 6:15 p.m., a tree reportedly fell on some power lines and sparked a brush fire. The reported 56 mile per hour winds helped spread the blaze quickly. Mark Wilson, a local resident, helped contain the fire until emergency services arrived.
Four Seasons Engine 57, Midway Engine 63, and Cookeville Highway Engine 61, with the DeKalb Volunteer Fire Department, along with their Brush Truck, responded to the scene on April Lane. Deputies with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department, and a unit with the Tennessee Division of Forestry also responded to render assistance.
On scene, fire crews found the wooded area a blaze, threatening some houses in the area. Firefighters worked quickly to contain the fire and keep it from spreading to other areas.
Chief Green also reported that fire crews had to respond to a blaze on the north side of Hurricane Bridge in the Cherry Hill area. Kids were reportedly playing with fireworks when the winds helped spark a blaze.
Main Station Engine 59, Brush 1, and Cookeville Highway Engine 61 responded to that fire and soon had it under control.
That same day, fire crews responded also responded to a brush fire near Hidden Harbor Marina on Casey’s Cove Road. There, a construction site was burning some debris when the high winds sparked a brush fire.
Again, Main Station Engine 59, Brush 1, and Cookeville Highway Engine 61 responded to the scene and were able to get the fire under control before spreading to other areas. No injuries or structure damage was reported.
Meanwhile, Smithville and Alexandria fire crews joined more than 200 other firefighters from across the region to battle the Hatcher Mountain-Indigo Lane fire in Sevier County. The blaze has burned over 3,700 acres and impacted more than 100 structures, but there have been no fatalities or reports of missing persons. At least 11,000 homes have been evacuated since the start of the fire.
Officials reported at least one person and two firefighters were injured and five fire engines (4 county agency; 1 state agency) were lost during fire response, according to officials during a press conference Thursday morning.
One of six Blackhawk helicopters, deployed by the Tennessee National Guard to help bring more water to the area, was forced to make an emergency landing Thursday due to engine failure; the crew was uninjured.
The fire was not contained until Saturday.
