from https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/environment/2022/03/31/wears-valley-fire-firefighters-continue-battle-wildfire/7225148001/
A Thursday morning press conference provided updates on the fire,
which is only 5% contained. Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters told
reporters officials have no reports of deaths or missing people.
The Hatcher Mountain Fire has impacted 100 structures and 3,700 acres,
not including spot fires across the county. Five firefighting vehicles
have been damaged.
Although the fire approached Pigeon Forge, Waters said, it did not
reach city limits.
Around 8 a.m., the first two Blackhawk helicopters departed from
McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base with Bambi Buckets used to
provide hundreds of gallons of water to fight wildfires. Each aircraft
will make multiple trips. The Blackhawks will pick up water from
nearby water sources and transport it directly to the needed area. Two
more Blackhawks crews left at 10 a.m. and two more crews were to
deploy at noon.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., one of the helicopters experienced engine
failure, resulting in an emergency landing southwest of Wears Valley.
All four crew members were safe, and no injuries were reported. The
aircraft incurred minor damage upon landing.
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