Haslam seeks federal aid for Sevier wildfire victims

Dec. 10--As East Tennessee's world-renowned mountain tourist mecca reopened to the public Friday, Gov. Bill Haslam asked President Barack Obama to expedite the classification of Sevier and four other Tennessee counties as disaster areas.

If approved, the declaration will secure federal funding for recovery efforts in Gatlinburg and other areas picking up after deadly wildfires and severe storms.

"My goal is to help ensure these counties have what they need to rebuild and recover from these heartbreaking disasters," Haslam said in a news release. "The state and our local partners continue to work through the damage assessments, provide necessary services to help those in need, and get our neighbors and friends back on their feet."

(Tennessee congressional delegation letter in support of federal assistance.)

Sevier County residents have vowed to rebuild after the wildfire that exploded through Gatlinburg and surrounding communities Nov. 28, killing 14 people, injuring another 191 and damaging or destroying more than 2,400 homes and businesses. That fire had begun five days earlier on the remote Chimney Tops trail in the neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The declaration also would aid recovery efforts from the tornadoes and severe weather that killed two people in Polk County and also caused damage in Coffee, McMinn and Sequatchie counties.

The declaration would help with costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and rebuilding and repairing roads, bridges, water control facilities, buildings, utilities and recreational facilities, according to the release.

The declaration does not need congressional approval, according to Haslam spokeswoman Jennifer Donnals.

As of Friday night, the Chimney Tops fire and and a related fire at nearby Cobbly Nob each stood at better than 90 percent contained, according to park spokesman John Nichols. More than 320 firefighters were still battling the blazes.

The Chimney Tops fire, listed as 94 percent contained, had reached a cost of $6,300,524, and the Cobbly Nob fire, listed at 96 percent contained and reached a cost of $291,760, Nichols said. The fires had encompassed 17,006 and 764 acres, respectively.

Two teenagers face charges of aggravated arson. Sources say the boys -- one 17, the other 15 -- started the fire by playing with matches on the Chimney Tops trail Nov. 23. Prosecutors have indicated they might seek to have the boys tried as adults.

A boil water advisory remains in effect for various areas in Gatlinburg. Officials recommend residents in Greystone Heights, Smoky View Drive and Court, Campbell Lead, Cliff Branch Road (inside the city limits) and the portion of Wiley Oakley Drive between Ski View Drive and Campbell Lead Road continue to boil their water.

New areas have also been added to the advisory. Those areas include: Kings Way, Colt Lane, Loop Road, Topside Road and Drive, Little Fox Road, Forest Springs Drive, Foothills Drive, Stone Fence Lane, Spring Drive, Silverbell Heights, the 300 block of Silverbell Lane, Chimney Tops Way, Abrams Falls Way and Parsons Branch Way.

Residents affected by the fire will have a new one-stop shop for rebuilding needs beginning Monday.

A resource center in Pigeon Forge will house various state and federal departments, including the state Housing Development Agency, the state Department of Children's Services, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, the Tennessee Financial Institute, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Tennessee Department Commerce and Insurance, the Tennessee Department of Human Services, the Tennessee Department of Health and Vital Records, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The center is set to open Monday at the former Belz Factory Mall on Teaster Lane and will be open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

More State Headlines:

* Resource center to open for Sevier wildfire victims

* Sources: Teens toying with matches started Gatlinburg wildfire

* First woman chancellor has University of Tennessee abuzz

* Photos: Gatlinburg opens to the public, continues cleanup after fire

* Red Cross provides cleanup supplies to wildfire victims

* Long road ahead as Gatlinburg cleans up from wildfire

* On the go: Challenges can't keep Sevier man home

* SunTrust Foundation gives to fire recovery effort

* Which Wich donates PB&J sandwich ingredients to Gatlinburg fire victims

* Timeline uncertain for Gatlinburg Sky Lift reopening

* Gatlinburg welcomes visitors back after wildfire

* What's new: Gatlinburg, park set to reopen after wildfires

* Fire damage evaluated; Gatlinburg, park to reopen Friday

* Sevier volunteers work around clock in wake of wildfire

* Owners mourn loss of Tudor Inn, ask why no warning

* Sevier County Rescue Squad accepting donations

* Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, others to perform during My People Fund telethon

* Drought, the South's unwelcome guest, stays despite rains

* Rural Metro unveils new brand

* Sweet Frog yogurt sales benefit wildfire victims

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