Archived Outdoors

Motorcycle crash sparks Smokies wildfire

The forest abutting U.S. 129 is blackened following a wildfire started Nov. 6. NPS photo The forest abutting U.S. 129 is blackened following a wildfire started Nov. 6. NPS photo

A wildfire that started near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s western edge following a motorcycle crash Sunday, Nov. 6, had been 90% contained at 40 acres as of Monday evening, Nov. 7.

The motorcyclist lost control while riding U.S. 129 near Chilhowee Lake, colliding into the roadside, after which the bike was engulfed in flames, starting the wildfire. The biker was able to safely exit the accident site before the fire erupted. 

About 60 wildland firefighters assisted in fire suppression Nov. 7, with 24-hour rainfall between a quarter and half an inch aiding their efforts. Crews established a hand-dug firebreak line along the perimeter to prevent growth in the park’s backcountry. Wildland firefighting operations included a hotshot crew, hand crews and a Type 2 helicopter operation from the U.S. Forest Service, along with a hand crew and Type 6 engine crew from the National Park Service Appalachian Piedmont Coastal Fire Management Zone module. 

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.