Tennessee is fighting wildfires that cover roughly 15,000 acres — and in the process, aggressively pursuing arsonists.
Officials say that more than half of recent blazes were intentionally set, and in the past 20 days they’ve made
seven arrests.
Still, with roughly 60 fires burning, the state has increased its cash reward for information, up to $2,500.
And David Purkey, commissioner for the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, had stiff words on Tuesday for would-be firestarters.
“Look over your shoulder,” Purkey said. “If you’re going to engage in this type of activity, and destroy the beautiful forest-land in our counties, we’re coming for you. And we’re not far behind you.”
He spoke from the Neddy Mountain fire in Cocke County, which is contained but still burning about 1,100 acres.
View the state’s full wildfire update from Tuesday.
Purkey added that if firefighters end up injured, the “full weight of state government” will come down on the arsonists.
Asked why the fires are being set, State Forester Jere Jeter grasped for an answer.
“They do it for a variety of reasons. They have a grudge against their neighbor, they just like to see fire,” Jeter said. “We don’t know for certain what makes a person want to do that.”
The state is seeing far more fire damage than usual — 37,000 burned acres since July 1.
And dangerous levels of drought are expected through the end of the year, according to the National Weather Service.
“They’re not giving us any hope for any relief from this anytime soon,” Jeter said.
The wildfires prompted Gov. Bill Haslam to
ban open burning in 51 additional counties this week.
Chattanooga is now surrounded by active fires on all sides of the city, from Lookout Mountain to Flippers Bend. According to The Chattanooga Times Free Press, one hospital has seen more than a hundred people suffering from smoke inhalation in the last two weeks, including one stretch of nearly 40 arrivals in 24 hours.
Knoxville is also under active air quality alerts.
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