Cause Of Sevier Co. Wildfires Determined

We now know the cause of the recent wildfires in Sevier County that caused so much destruction. That fire is being blamed on downed power lines. Officials with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Crime Unit say that high winds brought down power lines which sparked… and coupled with dry conditions at the time started both the hatcher Mountain Wildfire in Wears Valley on March 30th and the Millstone Gap Fire near Seymour the next day. Sevier County officials announced earlier this week that the county may have a hard time getting the fires declared federal disasters. There has to be at least $10 million in public losses and Sevier County right now sits at a little over $3 million. However total damages from those fires are estimated at more than $65 million.