November 13th, 2023: Update
Firefighters continue to make progress on the Tweed Fire in the Cherokee National Forest in Greene and Cocke Counties.
As of earlier this afternoon, the 300-acre fire is 20 percent contained.
Heather Sipe, Greeneville-Greene County EMA Director, said any community members wanting to donate food and water for the firefighting efforts are asked to take them to their local fire department.
November 12th, 2023: Forest Service News Release
Firefighters on the Cherokee National Forest continue to make progress capitalizing on reduced fire activity brought on by heavy cloud cover.
The Cherokee National Forest has three active wildfires, below is an update on resources assigned, fire activity and a progress update for each wildfire.
Updates as of 2 PM on November 12th, 2023:
-Tweed Fire – Burning on the Cherokee National Forest in Cocke and Greene Counties, 13 miles southwest of Greeneville, wildland firefighters maintain 10% containment on the 300-acre wildfire. The fire is backing towards Tweed Springs Road with activity on the east side of the fire. Crews are conducting tactical firing operations off Yellow Springs Meadow Creek Trail to reduce available fuel. Some spot fires and slop outside containment was observed but all were picked up. An air tanker is assisting firefighters with fire retardant drops. The fire is being investigated as human caused.
-Buck Bald Fire – Burning in the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County, three miles north of Farner, there was little change reported. The 540-acre wildfire remains 60 percent contained. The public may observe smoke from unburned patches inside the fire perimeter but firefighters are reporting no escapes. No structures are immediately threatened by this fire and no significant activity reported. The Forest Service is aided by crews from the Bureau of Land Management and other out-of-state firefighters. The cause of this fire is being investigated as arson.
-Bullet Fire – Burning in the Cherokee National Forest in Monroe County, five miles southeast of Etowah, there was little change reported. The 103-acre wildfire continues to be 20 percent contained. The fire is burning in steep inaccessible terrain and fire crews are using indirect tactics to control fire spread. Fire activity is minimal at this time. The cause of this fire remains under investigation.
The Cherokee National Forest spans 10 counties across the Tennessee border with multiple states with various levels of fire danger and restrictions. Fire restriction changes on the Cherokee National Forest will be posted at the Supervisor and District Ranger’s Office along with the Cherokee National Forest’s website https://www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CherokeeNF/.
