Smoky Mountains National Park Lifts Ban on Backcountry Fires

The National Park Service has announced that the ban on backcountry fires for campers and hikers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been lifted.

The fire danger due to extremely dry conditions in the GSMNP caused great concern to the park service causing them to issue a ban on backcountry fires in late August.

Fortunately due to some welcome rainfall and lower temperatures in and around the park, campers and hikers may make fires in the in any of the more than 100 backcountry sites and shelters if they practice safe campfire management.

3 more fires in the Shields Mountain area of TN Smoky Mountains.

Fire officials just don't get why people aren't heading their warnings about the growing fire danger but at least all 3 wild fires in Sevier County were only minor.

The latest 3 fires reported to us Smokies didn't damage any homes large wilderness areas and fortunately there were no injuries but if it were not for the hard work and fast response of the fire department, this story could have had a far more depressing ending.

The last batch of Smokies fires were due to a smoldering stump from last weeks fire burn area in Shields Mountain that burst into flames, a brush fire on Upper Middlecreek that burned approximately 9 acres, and on Pine Mountain Road a less than a quarter of an acre was burned near the roadside.

Let's hope that everyone pays special attention and that some real soaking rains come soon to reduce the danger of fire.