Wildfires Are Raging Through Tennessee And Are Devastating Parts Of The State
Rampant wildfires burning across Tennessee and contained mostly to East Tennessee, have forced multiple area evacuations over the last five days. So far, nearly 10,000 acres have burned in the last two weeks and firefighters say there’s no end in sight.
There are an astonishing 53 fires burning right now in Tennessee. It's believed an estimated 41 of those are arson. One arrest has been made in association with at least one of the fires.
Many of the fires are actually burning near highways in the state. This makes for some very close calls and creates an unnerving experience for motorists making their way to and from work and school.
As the fires rage on, there's a very real possibility that even more damage will be done in Tennessee as they spread to more areas before they're contained.
Already, smoke is affecting much of the state, making even the sunrise eerily clouded by smoke yesterday.
Driving on this highway in the afternoon was more like driving at dawn with a think haze seeming like foggy conditions.
Most Tennesseeans will see this haze for the foreseeable future, as firefighters work to contain or even put out the 53 fires raging in the state at the moment.
Is arson to blame for all of these fires?
One firefighter suggested they may not all be arson. Other things might come into play, like catalytic converters on vehicles and motorists throwing lit cigarette butts out their car windows.
Reports coming from Chattnooga say that more than 200 people have been hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. Smoke is covering much of Tennessee as wildfires are currently raging throughout six southern states in the U.S. Throughout the southeast, and here in Tennesse, it's been a tough road for the last two weeks waiting and watching teams of firefighters work tirelessly to contain or extinguish the blazes.
More on these fires in this YouTube video report from WJHL.
Reports coming from Chattnooga say that more than 200 people have been hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. Smoke is covering much of Tennessee as wildfires are currently raging throughout six southern states in the U.S. Throughout the southeast, and here in Tennesse, it's been a tough road for the last two weeks waiting and watching teams of firefighters work tirelessly to contain or extinguish the blazes.
More on these fires in this YouTube video report from WJHL.
It will take some time to work through the crisis facing Tennessee, but you can play a role in helping the situation. What can you do? Be vigilant. Watch for fires that may have just started in your area. You can also follow the law and don’t burn outdoors if a ban is imposed in your area.
