FENTRESS COUNTY, Tenn. — (Update 3/11 9:53 a.m.)
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture said that 87% of the wildfire has been contained.
20 personnel, five dozers, and nine engines/pumpers are at the scene.
Officials said that control lines held through Wednesday night with minimal fire behavior.
On Thursday crews will be connecting dozer lines with handline in Cat Pen Hollow, improving lines on the south flank, and improving dozer lines adjacent to Glenobey Road.
Burnouts will be conducted to strengthen lines, officials said.
Today’s priorities include connecting dozer lines with handline in Cat Pen Hollow, improving lines on the south flank, and improving dozer lines adjacent to Glenobey Road. Burnouts will be also conducted to strengthen lines.
(Update 3/10 9 p.m.):
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture said that the fire was 85% contained and that no structures were threatened by the fire as crews continued working to extinguish the flames.
They said that crews tied together control lines on the east and north sides of the fire and that it was showing minimal activity. Smoke from the fire was also expected to be held from the southern corner of the fire, as cool air forms around it.
They said that crews would change shifts tonight and continue concentrating on holding the line and patrolling the perimeter of the fire.
(Update 3/10 2:30 p.m.):
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture said crews are making "good progress" and the Fentress County wildfire is now 35% contained.
19 personnel, three dozers, and 12 engines/pumpers continue to work to contain the fire.
Crews said they are able to reinforce control lines thanks to minimal fire behavior.
(Update 3/10 10:53 a.m.):
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture said that 10% of the fire has been contained.
24 personnel, four dozers, and 14 engines/pumpers are at the scene.
Crews worked overnight to establish control lines with dozers on the east and west flanks of the fire, officials said.
Wednesday's operations included continued control line development.
Contingency control lines are also being developed in an effort to contain slop-overs, officials said.
Crews are also working to build control lines where the terrain is too steep for dozers.
The air quality is expected to remain low throughout the Jamestown area into the evening as an expected inversion layer settles in keeping the smoke low to the ground.
Officials encourage residents sensitive to smoke to stay indoors and run air conditioning.
For more information visit: http://TNWildlandFire.gov
(Update 3/10 8:48 a.m.):
Fentress EMS Director James Bilbrey said they are still working to contain the wildfire.
Bilbrey said that no structures are currently threatened by the fire, but one cabin was threatened Tuesday night. A fire line was installed between the fire and the cabin.
Officials are expecting to bring in more crews from out of Fentress County to assist with the incident.
Crews worked long hours overnight to develop control lines with dozers and it is expected to continue on Wednesday, officials said.
Officials expect windy conditions which could cause spot fires across control lines.
The air quality in and around Jamestown is expected to be poor due to heavy smoke, officials said.
At this time, the cause of the fire is still unknown.
(Update 3/10 12 a.m.):
The Tennessee Department of Forestry said crews are taking advantage of the humidity to create control lines around the fire.
Crews continue to work to fight any spot fires that cross their control lines, according to officials.
Officials said Jamestown can expect more smoke Wednesday.
The fire is still 10% contained, according to the latest update.
Original Story (3/9) 9 p.m.):
Officials with the Tennessee Division of Forestry said that a wildfire broke out in Fentress County, near Gouldstown, Tuesday night.
They said that it was 1,000 acres large around 8:55 p.m. and that crews had it around 10% contained. They said eleven crew members, three dozers and four engines responded to the fire.
They said it broke out in rugged terrain in a remote area around four miles southwest of Jamestown. Dispatchers said it was not confirmed as a forest fire at around 8:55 p.m.
Officials said that no structures were threatened as of 9:20 p.m. and that crews were prepared to work through the night to contain the fire.
At around 11 p.m. officials said that a control line had been completed around the fire. It will stop the fire from spreading further, officials said.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.