Wildfire ongoing near Greene-Cocke Co. line being investigated as human-caused, Forestry Service says
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GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A wildfire that the U.S. Forest Service has named the “Tweed Fire” is ongoing near the Greene and Cocke County line, and Forest Service officials said teams were actively battling the blaze on Sunday.
According to James Heaton, public information officer for the U.S. Forest Service’s Cherokee National Forest, the wildfire spanned 300 acres Sunday afternoon and was 10% contained. Heaton told News Channel 11 that aircraft from surrounding localities have been assisting with water and flame retardant drops.
Light rain not enough to stop threat of wildfires
Heaton said there were more than one hundred firefighters from across the nation in the area battling the wildfire. A press release from the Forest Service said tactical firing operations are taking place, as well, to reduce available fuel for the fire.
Photo: April Lane Photo: April Lane
The release said the fire is being investigated as human-caused, however, no exact cause of the fire was provided. The full Sunday afternoon update regarding the Tweed Fire can be found below:
Burning on the Cherokee National Forest in Cocke and Greene Counties, 13 miles southwest of Greeneville, wildland firefighters maintain 10% containment on the 300-acre wildfire. The fire is backing towards Tweed Springs Road with activity on the east side of the fire. Crews are conducting tactical firing operations off Yellow Springs Meadow Creek Trail to reduce available fuel. Some spot fires and slop outside containment was observed but all were picked up. An air tanker is assisting firefighters with fire retardant drops. The fire is being investigated as human caused.
U.S. Forest Service – Cherokee National Forest
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