Forestry officials: Anderson County wildfires extend to 160 acres

The acreage covered by the wildfires in Anderson County continues to grow, but so does the amount of containment, as firefighters continue the battle.

Firefighters from throughout Anderson County, as well as emergency personnel, are on the scene of a 160-acre wildfire that state forestry officials estimate is 40% contained as of late Sunday afternoon. The mid-afternoon estimate had been 100 acres with 10% containment. The firefighters and emergency personnel began battling the fire early Saturday night. Forty-three people are fighting the wildfire, according to the Tennessee Forestry Division website.

The wildfire is located between Andy's Ridge and Walden's Ridge outside Rocky Top, according to information provided by the Tennessee Division of Forestry. Rocky Top is also known as Lake City.

Anderson County Emergency Management Director Brice Kidwell stated in a news release Sunday afternoon that no buildings are currently in danger from the wildfire. On Sunday morning, Capt. Shain Vowell of the Anderson County Sheriff's Office told The Oak Ridger no one has been injured by the fire and people were not at risk.

The cause of the fire is not known, according to the release. It was first reported at 6:05 p.m. Saturday.

Emergency personnel on the scene include the volunteer fire departments from Medford and Marlow, the Norris and Rocky Top fire departments, the Anderson County Emergency Management Agency, the Tennessee Division of Forestry, and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. Vowell stated earlier that the Briceville Volunteer Fire Department was also involved in fighting the blaze.

The public can download the Anderson County E911 app on their cellphones to receive updates from the scene about this fire. The app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, the news release stated.

Smoke from the wildfires could be seen throughout most of the county Sunday. Smoke could be seen also coming from a wildfire off Scott Brogan Lane in the Dutch Valley community outside of Rocky Top.

The Oak Ridger's News Editor Donna Smith covers Oak Ridge area news. Email her at dsmith@oakridger.com and follow her on Twitter@ridgernewsed.

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This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Wildfires outside Rocky Top only 40% contained, forestry officials say