Black Bear Fire Grows To Over 2,000 Acres

The recent winds wound up stirring the Black Bear fire burning near the state line along Interstate 40. According to the Forest Service, the fire grew over the weekend by about 120 acres. The Black Bear fire has now consumed 2,008 acres and is still active. The good news is that yesterday firefighters were able to get containment of that fire up to 90%. The section of the Appalachian Trail between I-40 and Brown Gap Road remains closed at this time. The Black Bear fire broke out nearly three weeks ago on November 16 when a tractor trailer crashed near mile marker 3 on the westbound side of I-40. The fire quickly spread to the top of the ridge and has affected a large area along the state line and even into Cocke County.