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Motorcycle-Caused Fire Contained At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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By Compiled From N... - November 8th, 2022

A fire caused by a motorcycle crash has largely been contained at Great Smoky Mountains National Park/NPS

A forest fire caused by a motorcycle accident has been largely contained at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee.

Monday evening the park reported that the wildfire near Chilhowee Lake was 90 percent contained. The fire located near the western boundary of the park along highway 129 near milemarker 4.5 covered approximately 40 acres.

The approximately 60 wildland firefighters battling the fire were aided by upwards of a half-inch of rainfall. Crews established a hand-dug firebreak line along the perimeter of the fire to help prevent fire growth into the backcountry of the park. 

Minimal fire behavior was observed Monday, but there was some smoldering in the area. Crews also worked to remove hazard trees along the Highway 129 road corridor that were damaged during the fire. 

The wildfire was originally started on Sunday after a motorcycle accident along Highway 129. The motorcyclist lost control and collided into the roadside. Upon collision, the motorcycle was engulfed in flames that spread into the forest. The motorcycle operator was able to safely exit the accident site before the fire erupted.

The motorcycle was unrecognizable following the fire/NPS

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