Wildfires Continue To Cause Problems
What was a long night Monday night could have turned into a long day as well on Tuesday if not for the hard work of some firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and other emergency personnel. Two fires broke out in southern Cocke County at virtually the same time Monday night. One in the Wilton Springs area of Cosby near Nations Road and another in the Grassy Fork area around Cabbage County Road. According to Cocke County Emergency Director Joe Esway, Lt. Cody Keys with the Cosby Volunteer Fire Department properly placed assets and manpower in the perfect places to keep the Wilton Springs fire from becoming one that consumed several homes.
Walt Cross, chief of the Grassy Fork Volunteer Fire Department came in from out of state and helped direct the firefighting efforts on the Cabbage County fire. There were two firefighters who had to e transported to the Newport Medical Center for injuries, but both were treated and released. Fire crews from the Cocke County Fire Department, Cosby, Parrottsville, Grassy Fork, Del Rio and Fines Creek volunteer fire departments all assisted in tackling those fires. The Tennessee Division of Forestry along with Lt. Bryce Pickens and deputies from the Cocke County Sheriff’s office plus Priority ambulance and the Newport Rescue Squad also played a role in helping with those firefighting efforts. Firefighters battled strong winds overnight and kept those fires from becoming major wildfires.
The Black Bear fire near I-40 at the state line continues to be a problem. There are nearly 200 personnel fighting that fire which is now nearly 1900 acres. It is 42% contained.