Wildfire In Cherokee National Forest In Cocke County

There is now a wildfire burning close by in the Cherokee National Forest and the cause is under investigation. Thursday afternoon, 11/9, a wildfire was reported in the Cherokee National Forest in Cocke County. This fire is 13 miles southwest of Greenville. The 60-acre wildfire is listed this morning as 5 percent contained. Structures are threatened by this wildfire and structure protection mitigations are ongoing. Forest Service hotshot crews have been responding alongside resources from Tennessee Division of Forestry, Greene County Sheriff’s Office and Greene County Fire and rescue. Helicopters are aiding firefighters with water bucket drops. Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis yesterday put out a statement dispelling the rumor that this was a controlled burn. That wildfire is under investigation as being human caused.

The wildfire that has burned nearly 400 acres near Rocky Top in Anderson County is now 100% contained. The fire in the southern sector of the Cherokee National forest in Polk County is 95% contained as of this morning. It has burned 375 acres.

The nearly 4,000 acre wildfire in Cherokee County NC is still burning and is only 5% contained. That fire is responsible for much of the smoke you are seeing in this area.