Road, trail, and backcountry closures that had been put in place earlier this week at Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to a wildfire and high wind warning have been lifted, the park announced Friday.
The Southern Area Gold Incident Management Team that had been battling the Thomas Divide Fire Complex has demobilized, and several team members and National Park Service staff are now assisting with fire suppression efforts in Sevier County. Approximately 20 firefighters remain on site to continue monitoring the area and to make any needed site repairs from fire suppression activity, the park release said.
The following areas have reopened: Backcountry campsites 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60; Deep Creek and Thomas Divide trails from Deep Creek to Newfound Gap Road; Pole Road Creek, Indian Creek, Stone Pile Gap, Deep Creek Horse Bypass, Juney Whank Falls, Deeplow, Fork Ridge, Sunkota Ridge, Martins Gap, Indian Creek Motor Nature, Mingus Creek, Newton Bald, Kanati Fork, and Loop trails. All park roads that are seasonally open this time of year also have reopened.
Additionally, electrical power to Elkmont, Metcalf, Cataloochee, and Smokemont areas has been restored. Park managers proactively had the power shut off to these areas on Wednesday to reduce fire risk across the park. Park rangers responded to one powerline fire start on Thursday from the line servicing the Look Rock telecommunications tower. An engine quickly responded from Blount County and was able to put the fire out before it spread.
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