Pigeon Forge TN: Cheap Cabins In The Smoky Mountains Still Open After Fire …

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The Pigeon Forge fire that raged through the popular vacation destination in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains back in March was defeated by the combined efforts of firefighters and heavy rains. But what does the Pigeon Forge fire mean for summer travelers looking for a mountain getaway?

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Watch footage of the Pigeon Forge fires that raged through the popular Tennessee destination:

Pigeon Forge, TN has long been known as an affordable vacation destination, with an abundance of rental cabins catering to those looking to soak up the fresh air and majestic views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

So, what’s the damage? Basically, the wildfire burned about 260 acres of land, causing 150 people to evacuate the area and destroying 59 cabins, while damaging 16 others.

But the good news is that it hardly made a dent in the resources of this mountain town. Pigeon Forge is packed with lodgings and attractions for vacationers, including some of the most adorable rental cabins you’ll ever see.

Like any other nature getaway, a Pigeon Forge vacation may not be for everyone. But if you’re looking for a quaint mountain town full of incredible scenery, natural attractions, and old fashioned family kitsch, this is the place for you.

Pigeon Forge lies just five miles north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws up to 11 million visitors a year. The park contains 850 miles of hiking trails and unpaved roads, including seventy miles of the Appalachian Trail, as well as fishing, horseback riding, and bicycling.

Pigeon Forge is also home to Dollywood, the ultra-kitsch theme park owned by Dolly Parton. The park operates from early spring to around Christmas, so don’t worry — you won’t miss it if you plan a summer vacation in Pigeon Forge. Dollywood happens to the site of the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame.

Pigeon Forge, Tenn. has also become a major destination for car and truck fanatics, with car and truck shows and events running from April to September.

Sold yet? If you’re thinking of a Pigeon Forge getaway, the first thing you should do is find a cozy mountain cabin to stay in. That’s at least half the fun of a Smoky Mountain excursion, after all. For an idea of what kinds of accommodation you can expect to find in Pigeon Forge, check out the slideshow to see a few samples from Pigeon Forge Cabin Rentals.

Pigeon Forge Cabin Rentals offers a wide variety of mountain cabins for your Smoky Mountains getaway. There are large cabins for groups of up to 15, and an even larger cabin built to sleep 46 people!

But even better, there are Pigeon Forge cabin rentals for under $100. Seriously!

The Pigeon Forge fire may have made big headlines, but don’t let it ruin your summer plans. This beautiful historic area has already rolled on, and Pigeon Forge cabins are waiting to take your reservations.

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Wildfire burns outside Great Smoky Mountains

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (AP) – A wildfire burning in a resort area outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee has damaged or destroyed nearly 60 large rental cabins and is threatening additional homes.

The 145-acre fire was first reported around 5 p.m. EDT Sunday in Sevier County, said Ben Bryson, a fire resources coordinator with the Tennessee Division of Forestry. National Guard helicopters were pouring water on the fire.

Although the fire was initially contained Monday morning, officials with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported in the afternoon that the fire breached the containment and was threatening an additional 15 to 20 homes.

Some of the cabins were occupied and about 150 to 200 people were evacuated, but Byson said no injuries were reported.

Rain dampens wildfire outside Great Smoky Mountains

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PIGEON FORGE, TENN. — Heavy rain helped firefighters contain a Tennessee wildfire Monday after flames burned nearly 60 rental cabins in a resort area outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The fire spread across about 160 acres and forced up to 200 people who had been staying in cabins in the area to evacuate.

At the height of the fire, about 100 firefighters from about 30 fire departments battled the blaze that was reported Sunday afternoon, said Ben Bryson, a fire resources coordinator with the Tennessee Division of Forestry.

Firefighters had the fire contained Monday morning, but flames broke through the lines early Monday afternoon before rains from a passing storm system began dousing the flames.

Fire officials had worried earlier that wind-whipped flames might jump a ridgeline and threaten Pigeon Forge, a popular tourism destination that’s home to country star Dolly Parton’s amusement park, Dollywood.

The National Guard sent in helicopters to scoop up water from a nearby lake to air drop on the fire. But then the series of downpours moved in, dropping more water than the helicopters could.

“We had about three downpours that allowed them to get the fire back under control,” said Dean Flener, a spokesman for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

Flener said there had been two minor injuries but no deaths. Most firefighters were being pulled back though a small crew was to remain on duty during the night to make sure the blaze didn’t start growing again, he said.

Officials have not said what caused the fire.

John Helt was cleaning a cabin Sunday afternoon in Black Bear Ridge Resort when someone alerted him to the spreading fire, he told The Knoxville News Sentinel.

“I went running down there, and I noticed the fire started on the porch where there was a hot tub. I found out (the cabin) was empty.”

Helt said he ran through the area knocking on cabin doors to alert people to the fire, running past cabins in flames.

“I don’t ever want to see nothing like that ever again,” Helt said. “The flames were so hot I nearly passed out from the heat.”

Spring Means Festivals, New Things To Do In Gatlinburg, Tennessee according …

The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, Pigeon Forge TN.

New fun things to do in Gatlinburg and a surrounding area for a 2013 transport deteriorate embody a grand opening of a Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (PRWEB) Mar 31, 2013

Beginning Apr 5, 2013, Gatlinburg, Tenn., ushers in open with a Smoky Mountain Tunes Tales festival, environment a gait for a grand reopening of internal and anniversary activities including a new Children of Titanic museum exhibit, Dollywood’s Festival of Nations, Country Tonite’s newest uncover opening, Spring Fest and other Gatlinburg attractions.

In further to a reopening of area shows and attractions, a Great Smoky Mountain Park will come alive with options for open activities and accommodations tighten to nature, including cabin rentals in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Pigeon Forge cabin rentals, all in tighten vicinity to hiking and horseback roving in a Smokies, engine and bicycle furloughed in Cades Cove, and whitewater rafting on a Little River.

According to visitmysmokies.com, a tiny village of Gatlinburg is usually dual miles prolonged by 5 miles far-reaching and, surrounded by a Great Smoky Mountain National Park, has remade over time into a towering review destination. Gatlinburg cabin rentals are nestled via a hills and yield remoteness in tighten vicinity to things to do in Gatlinburg.

Cabins in Gatlinburg, Tenn. and cabins in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., concede guest to stay tighten to city and suffer all a anniversary festivals, activities and shows while still enjoying a healthy beauty of a Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Guests can suffer arriving activities including a Music Festival during Dixie Stampede, a Spring Truckload Tent Sale, a Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament, a Gatlinburg Gateway Triathalon, a Spring Rod Run, a Smoky Mountain Music Festival and many some-more events via a month of April.

Scott Rice, Vice President and General Manager during Cabin Fever Vacations says open is one of a best times to revisit Gatlinburg.

“It’s only such an sparkling time. The festivals are starting, a attractions are opening behind adult and there are new shows, restaurants and attractions any season. There only isn’t a improved place to revisit this time of year. And we can stay in a heart of a Great Smoky Mountains in a cabin in Gatlinburg and have your remoteness while still being nearby to all a fun things to do in Gatlinburg.”

New fun things to do in Gatlinburg and a surrounding area for a 2013 transport deteriorate embody a grand opening of a Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.

With some-more than 200 economy to oppulance let cabin units, Cabin Fever Vacations is an attention personality in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals and a unapproachable member of both a Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce and a Tennessee Hotel Lodging Association. As active cabinet chairs to a Pigeon Forge Lodging Association, Cabin Fever Vacations provides some of a largest cabin rentals in a Smokies, with offices located during 2519 Sand Pike Blvd., Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Call (865) 908 – 1919, revisit cabinfevervacations.com or revisit Cabin Fever Rentals offices from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday by Saturday or from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, for additional information.

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Wildfire burns outside Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, destroying dozens …

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — A wildfire burning in a resort area outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee has destroyed more than 30 large rental cabins.

The 145-acre fire was first reported around 5 p.m. EDT Sunday in Sevier County, said Ben Bryson, a fire resources coordinator with the Tennessee Division of Forestry. Smoke was reported to be visible from 25 miles away.

Bryson said early Monday that the fire was contained and not expected to spread.

Some of the cabins were occupied and about 150 to 200 people were evacuated, but no injuries were reported, Bryson said.

RELATED: SPACE LAB ESCAPES MAJOR DAMAGE IN AUSTRALIAN WILDFIRES

Curt Habraken/AP

Fire crews try to a contain large fire in Sevier County, Tenn., on Sunday.

After dawn Monday, two Tennessee Air National Guard helicopters took off from nearby McGhee Tyson Airport. A state Forestry Division spokesman said the helicopters would be used to scoop up water from Douglas Lake and drop it on the fire.

“We did have it jump a fire line overnight, but it’s contained this morning,” said Capt. Benny Pickens of the Sevierville Fire Department on Monday.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency declared a state emergency Monday morning to make resources available, said Dean Flener, a TEMA spokesman. The declaration did not mean the situation was escalating, Flener said.

National Weather Service forecasters predict a 90 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms Monday and Monday night in the mountain region.

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Curt Habraken/AP

Burning cabins can be seen from Wears Valley Road in Sevier County, Tenn., on Sunday.

Pickens said the wind often associated with thunderstorms could be a problem for firefighting efforts.

“That’s going to be harmful, but if mother nature drops some rain on it, that will be very much appreciated,” Pickens said.

A survey team was checking Monday to determine specifically how many cabins burned. Pickens said many of the structures were rental cabins.

At the height of the fire, about 100 firefighters from about 30 fire departments were battling the blaze.

The area is home to country star Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park, which Bryson said was not being threatened by the fire. Dollywood was the site of a separate brush fire Saturday night but park officials said that fire would not affect the season opening this weekend.

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Wildfire burns outside Great Smoky Mountains

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (AP) – A wildfire burning in a resort area outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee has damaged or destroyed nearly 60 large rental cabins and is threatening additional homes.
   
The 145-acre fire was first reported around 5 p.m. EDT Sunday in Sevier County, said Ben Bryson, a fire resources coordinator with the Tennessee Division of Forestry. National Guard helicopters were pouring water on the fire.
   
Although the fire was initially contained Monday morning, officials with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported in the afternoon that the fire breached the containment and was threatening an additional 15 to 20 homes.
   
Some of the cabins were occupied and about 150 to 200 people were evacuated, but Byson said no injuries were reported.
 

Earlier story:

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (AP) – A wildfire burning in a resort area outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee has destroyed more than 30 large rental cabins.
   
Ben Bryson, a fire resources coordinator with the Tennessee Division of Forestry, says the 145-acre fire was first reported around 5 p.m. EDT Sunday.
   
Bryson says two National Guard helicopters are being dispatched Monday to help fight the fire, which has been contained and isn’t expected to spread.
   
Bryson says some of the cabins were occupied and about 150 to 200 people were evacuated, but no injuries were reported.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Wildfire near Great Smoky Mountains National Park destroys resort cabins

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (AP) — A wildfire outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Forest in Sevier County has destroyed more than 35 resort cabins, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Fire crews try to keep a contain on large fire on Black Bear Cub Way in Sevier County Tenn., Sunday March 17, 2013. By 8:00 p.m. 32 cabins were reported burned and another 40 in danger. (AP Photo/The Mountain Press, Curt Habraken)

Two Black Hawk helicopters from the Tennessee Air National Guard are surveying the damage and then will drop buckets of water on the 135-acre fire, the News Sentinel reports. About 30 fire departments are battling the blaze, which forced 150 people to voluntarily evacuate the area, the News Sentinel reports.

No injuries have been reported, the News Sentinel reports.

Wildfire burns cabins near Great Smoky Mountains park

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (AP) — A wildfire burning in a resort area outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee has destroyed more than 30 large rental cabins.

The 145-acre fire was first reported around 5 p.m. ET Sunday in Sevier County, said Ben Bryson, a fire resources coordinator with the Tennessee Division of Forestry. Smoke was reported to be visible from 25 miles away.

Bryson said early Monday that the fire was contained and not expected to spread.

Some of the cabins were occupied and about 150 to 200 people were evacuated, but no injuries were reported, Bryson said.

After dawn Monday, two Tennessee Air National Guard helicopters took off from nearby McGhee Tyson Airport. A state Forestry Division spokesman said the helicopters would be used to scoop up water from Douglas Lake and drop it on the fire.

“We did have it jump a fire line overnight, but it’s contained this morning,” said Capt. Benny Pickens of the Sevierville Fire Department on Monday.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency declared a state emergency Monday morning to make resources available, said Dean Flener, a TEMA spokesman. The declaration did not mean the situation was escalating, Flener said.

National Weather Service forecasters predict a 90% chance of rain and thunderstorms Monday and Monday night in the mountain region.

Pickens said the wind often associated with thunderstorms could be a problem for firefighting efforts.

“That’s going to be harmful, but if mother nature drops some rain on it, that will be very much appreciated,” Pickens said.

A survey team was checking Monday to determine specifically how many cabins burned. Pickens said many of the structures were rental cabins.

At the height of the fire, about 100 firefighters from about 30 fire departments were battling the blaze.

The area is home to country star Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park, which Bryson said was not being threatened by the fire. Dollywood was the site of a separate brush fire Saturday night but park officials said that fire would not affect the season opening this weekend.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

In the Nation

200 flee before fire is tamed

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – Heavy rain helped firefighters contain a Tennessee wildfire Monday after flames burned nearly 60 rental cabins in a resort area outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The fire spread across about 160 acres and forced up to 200 people who had been staying in cabins in the area to evacuate.

About 100 firefighters from 30 fire departments battled the blaze that was reported Sunday afternoon, said Ben Bryson, of Tennessee Division of Forestry.

The fire was contained Monday morning, but flames broke through the lines in the afternoon before rains came. Officials have not said what caused the fire. – AP

No charges in adoptee’s death

ODESSA, Texas – Prosecutors said Monday that they won’t charge a couple in the death of a 3-year-old boy adopted from Russia.

Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland said his office would not charge Alan and Laura Shatto in the Jan. 21 death of Max Alan Shatto. “The grand jury determined there was insufficient evidence to charge them with anything,” Bland said at a news conference.

Russian authorities have blamed the Shattos for Max’s death and used the case to bolster its imposition of a ban on American adoptions of Russian children. – AP

Defense opens in BP spill

NEW ORLEANS – Workers on the drilling rig that exploded at the outset of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill catastrophe were “trying to get it right” as they monitored BP’s well for signs of trouble before the blast, an expert witness for the firm that owned the rig testified Monday.

“They just misinterpreted what they were seeing,” well control expert Calvin Barnhill said on the 13th day of a trial over the disaster.

Barnhill was Transocean Ltd.’s first witness as the Swiss company, which leased the rig to BP P.L.C., began its defense.

The non-jury trial is designed to determine the causes of BP’s well blowout and assign percentages of fault to the companies involved in the drilling project. – AP

EMT resigns over tweets

NEW YORK – The son of New York City’s fire commissioner has resigned from his job as a fire department emergency medical technician after apologizing for offensive messages on Twitter.

Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano said Monday that he believes his son Joseph’s resignation was the right decision. He said the department has worked hard to achieve diversity and a good reputation.

The New York Post said the statements included a derogatory term to describe blacks, and a tweet stating he liked Jews about as much as Hitler did. – AP

Rain dampens wildfire near Great Smoky Mountains

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. —
Heavy rain helped firefighters contain a Tennessee wildfire Monday after flames burned nearly 60 rental cabins in a resort area outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The fire spread across about 160 acres and forced up to 200 people who had been staying in cabins in the area to evacuate.

At the height of the fire, about 100 firefighters from about 30 fire departments battled the blaze that was reported Sunday afternoon, said Ben Bryson, a fire resources coordinator with the Tennessee Division of Forestry.

Firefighters had the fire contained Monday morning, but flames broke through the lines early Monday afternoon before rains from a passing storm system began dousing the flames.

Fire officials had worried earlier that wind-whipped flames might jump a ridgeline and threaten Pigeon Forge, a popular tourism destination that’s home to country star Dolly Parton’s amusement park, Dollywood.

The National Guard sent in helicopters to scoop up water from a nearby lake to air drop on the fire. But then the series of downpours moved in, dropping more water than the helicopters could.

“We had about three downpours that allowed them to get the fire back under control,” said Dean Flener, a spokesman for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

Flener said there had been two minor injuries but no deaths. Most firefighters were being pulled back though a small crew was to remain on duty during the night to make sure the blaze didn’t start growing again, he said.

Officials have not said what caused the fire.

John Helt was cleaning a cabin Sunday afternoon in Black Bear Ridge Resort when someone alerted him to the spreading fire, he told The Knoxville News Sentinel.

“I went running down there, and I noticed the fire started on the porch where there was a hot tub. I found out (the cabin) was empty.”

Helt said he ran through the area knocking on cabin doors to alert people to the fire, running past cabins in flames.

“I don’t ever want to see nothing like that ever again,” Helt said. “The flames were so hot I nearly passed out from the heat.”

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency declared a state emergency Monday morning to make resources available, said Dean Flener, a TEMA spokesman. He said the declaration did not mean the situation was escalating.

Andy and Cassie Endris told the Knoxville newspaper that they traveled to the resort from Indiana with another couple to celebrate a birthday. After hiking and then watching a show and having dinner in Pigeon Forge, they headed back to their cabin and found the roads closed and saw an orange glow from the mountaintop.

“It’s just stuff. Everything is replaceable,” Cassie Endris said of their clothes and a laptop left in the cabin.

“We’re all safe. I’m just shook up,” she said.

Paul and Megan Reagan live in the area. They went to church Sunday night and firefighters later escorted them to their home to retrieve medicine, diapers and formula for their daughter.

“We’ve got what we need,” Megan Reagan said, fighting back tears.

The couple planned to spend the night with Megan’s mother.

“We’ve got our family, and we’ve got God, but it’s still just scary,” she said.

A separate brush fire was extinguished at Dollywood on Saturday night but park officials said that fire would not affect the season opening this weekend.