Wildfires are one of our main threats appear we have them every year but we've never had one this bad.

Most of our fires burn far more acreage because they are in the back country, but it is heartbreaking to see homes and businesses destroyed.

In the two major fires that have devastated our area since I moved the the mountains, hundreds of thousands of acres have been destroyed by wild fires, but there has been little structure damage.

Yes, lives were changed, but nothing like what I am reading here, Heath. I guess that is because our population is so spread out and their has been a LOT of work to build necessary fire breaks to protect the mountain communities.

I am thinking that fire policy must be different in other parts of the country. There is so much preventative work that can be done to avoid the kinds of losses I am reading about. Of course, I don't own one single extra sheet, blanket or quilt because all have been given to those in need who have lost homes not due to just wild fires, but because of fires caused by chimney fires, etc. Either way, it is beyond sad.

I find myself wondering if the same kinds of efforts are made in other areas where wild fires are common.

Here in Missouri they actually set controlled burns every year in certain areas to control the wildfire risk. They found it also helps the health of the forest when they do that so they've been doing it for a long time so it's been a huge help.

Controlled burns are very effective in lessening wildfire risk but this is almost impossible to accomplish in remote, mountainous areas.

@RoseBlush1 I agree the fires in California are crazy. It seems like California is always on fire.
The fire codes didn't really change until about 10 years ago but everything that has been burnt was already in place. I wish they would tell us more than what they're telling us on the news we're not hearing the whole story they said seven people have been found dead there is more than that that they know about. I'm not sure if I'm reading what you say about the chimneys is right. When you hear them say the fire started in the chimneys area. They are talking about the National Park. The chimneys is a hiking trail and a campground inside the National Park.
@pepper23 they also do controlled Burns here every year.

@Legalily I'm glad to hear that you come and visit us during the fall Rod runs that is a very busy time for us. Westgate Resorts did burn down. And so did the Alamo in Gatlinburg. Luckily I was not at risk for any fires since I live in Sevierville. But I do work for the city of Pigeon Forge and we have lost several houses in Pigeon Forge also. And my sister G.M. for one of the Johnson family restaurants. Those are the people who own the Alamo. I appreciate yours and everybody else is concerned about these fires.

I shudder to think what might happen should there be a fire here in the Village. It is very wooded and of course, that means an accumulation of leaves, branches and dead trees that have fallen in those areas.

@plantcollector, Heath ... the California fires you read about in the media are usually south of here. I live in the mountains in the northern part of the state. We don't get much press, but do get a lot of fires ...

The forest service changed the fire management policies up here several years ago and because we pushed hard and now we now have a large "community forest" where we have been doing a lot of controlled burns to reduce the wild fire danger.

I've been told that the work up here is now being adopted by other US forest districts because we have been at it long enough to show that it does have a real benefit in protecting communities from wild fire danger.

As for chimney fires ... a lot of people up here still heat their homes with wood. Unless they keep their chimneys and wood stove flews clean and in good repair, there is a very high risk of a house fire. Believe it or not, there is only one chimney service for the whole area. Most people clean their own chimneys. Not everyone does a good job and not all are in good repair. Those are just a fire waiting to happen.

Fire scaping ... clearing a fire safe area around structures ... is also a very important part of controlling fire damage. Again, this is something where there is a lot of public awareness. During the "off season" if you will it, Cal Fire sends out crews to the private homes of the elderly and disabled to work on fuel reduction around people's homes, so that their is less fire danger.

It all adds up. This kind of fire awareness is not common throughout the state, but with the poor timber practices of the last century and more people moving to "urban forests", I think it's the only way we can protect people and their homes.

rocklady said:I shudder to think what might happen should there be a fire here in the Village. It is very wooded and of course, that means an accumulation of leaves, branches and dead trees that have fallen in those areas.

Jean .. That's exactly the kind of community project we put together to clean up after a major fire. There is a LOT of proactive work done in and around the small communities up here to make them safer.

I have certainly learned that you don't have to sit back and wait and let the fuel load build up, but if people work together, they can reduce the possible impact of these horrid fire events.

The sad part to me, is that it is taking so long for other areas to adopt the same kinds of policies.

I wish I didn't see my typos after I finished ... I am a lousy editor

In our small town, this morning there were sirens going off all over the place. A pickup truck went through the front door of our WalMart at full speed and so far we know that one woman was thrown 50 feet and killed. We don't know about anyone else at this time. We don't know if it was an accident or on purpose. I was supposed to go to WalMart over my lunch hour today. This is really scary in this small town. We have had other incidents where an elderly person mistook the accelerator for the brake and jumped the curb and went through a store front. This doesn't really sound like that but we won't know until we get a full report. Prayers are welcome.

Thought tragic regardless, Ginny, I hope it was a freak accident.

I hope so too. They are now reporting three dead, but we just can't get any information. This is a small town and they are having the Christmas Tour of Homes this weekend so there are a lot of extra people in town.

Ginny ...

That is one of my biggest fears about driving up here in the winter. I didn't learn to drive in snow country. In theory, I know what to do and I have practiced, but when push-comes-to-shove, I am afraid that my driving instincts will take over and I will hit the brake at the wrong time. Yes, I may get hurt, but I am more afraid of causing injury or death to someone else.

Every year, someone falls of the road up above me because they are driving too fast and hit black ice. Four-wheel drive doesn't help a bit when you hit ice. If you run out of road, you will fall off the mountain. People know that and they still don't slow down.

I'd rather stay home.

We now know that the two employees that were killed in the accident were both younger women, one was a customer service manager, and the third lady was an older female customer and her husband was one of the injured. Even though they have not come out publicly and given the names, it is a small town so we know names. I didn't know any of the people, and we don't have the identity of the man driving the truck or what caused the accident. Initial reports are all saying he "passed out", and they did say though that the truck was traveling approximately 60 mph when it hit the building. They had a prayer vigil last night at a local church and we are all keeping the families in our prayers. So sad.

Ginny ....

It is very sad. My heart goes out to the families.

We had something similar happen up here several years ago. In small towns everyone knows everyone, so it seems to hit all of us hard.

We just found out the names of those that lost their lives in the crash at WalMart yesterday. They are still trying to determine what happened. The driver of the truck was a 66 year old male. Two of the women were young moms, and one had a little boy that just turned a year old. The third lady was 79 and her husband, 77, is still in the hospital with injuries, but we don't know the extent.

@Legalily, Ginny, small towns get hit hard when tragedy like that happens. But they also pull together. I hope the comfort of friends and family help bring you all through this.

Growing up in The Valley of California with fires threatening our home so close we had to water our wood-shingled roof, I can still smell the smoke whenever I think about it, eyes burning walking home from school, ash falling from the orange sky. The forces of Mother Nature are hard enough to deal with let along man-caused tragedies. Prayers for all concerned.

Yes the town has been wonderful pulling together through this tragedy. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers everyone.

Terrible.
Life can turn about face in the blink of an eye

My sympathies go out to all you Gator fans. Just be glad you don't have to play them every single year.

RIP JOHN GLENN.....

"With John's passing, our nation has lost an icon and Michelle and I have lost a friend," President Obama said.

"John spent his life breaking barriers, from defending our freedom as a decorated Marine Corps fighter pilot in World War II and Korea, to setting a transcontinental speed record, to becoming, at age 77, the oldest human to touch the stars. John always had the right stuff, inspiring generations of scientists, engineers and astronauts who will take us to Mars and beyond -- not just to visit, but to stay. ...

"The last of America's first astronauts has left us, but propelled by their example we know that our future here on Earth compels us to keep reaching for the heavens."