redcairo Posted November 30, 2016 Gatlinburg, Tennessee, has a huge tourism footprint. A good deal of territory, homes, businesses, spent this week burning down... ...the mainstream media said close to jack about it. Today I saw a ref on FOX news. Until today, what I've mostly seen is tons of tweets from people, day after day, asking how this huge disaster could be happening and the news channels not be covering it. Sadly, some seemed to feel that it was so surreal and hence seemed "intentional" that maybe it was just a statement from the MSM (mainstream media) that "flyover territory didn't matter." This area has like a billion dollar annual tourism footprint -- maybe more, that was just for one county I saw a web page on. So it's not a small thing. Kinda strange the news wouldn't cover it (they might finally be now). I can't figure out why. In any case, the photographs and some videos online have been incredible. It's the smoky mountains -- lots of stuff to burn in that region for sure. I hope if we have any forum members from that area of the country that they are safe. RC 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Posted November 30, 2016 Gatlinburg, Tennessee, has a huge tourism footprint. A good deal of territory, homes, businesses, spent this week burning down... ...the mainstream media said close to jack about it. Today I saw a ref on FOX news. Until today, what I've mostly seen is tons of tweets from people, day after day, asking how this huge disaster could be happening and the news channels not be covering it. Sadly, some seemed to feel that it was so surreal and hence seemed "intentional" that maybe it was just a statement from the MSM (mainstream media) that "flyover territory didn't matter." This area has like a billion dollar annual tourism footprint -- maybe more, that was just for one county I saw a web page on. So it's not a small thing. Kinda strange the news wouldn't cover it (they might finally be now). I can't figure out why. In any case, the photographs and some videos online have been incredible. It's the smoky mountains -- lots of stuff to burn in that region for sure. I hope if we have any forum members from that area of the country that they are safe. RC There are several of us in the vicinity. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dust Posted November 30, 2016 (edited) The things the mainstream media cover often seem quite random to me. Anyway, as far as Gatlinburg... Searching 'gatlinburg' on Google News, I see results from Monday and Tuesday, from Reuters, Washington Post, CNN, Daily Mail, BBC, Huffington, CBS, NYT, and others. So it has been covered, if not pushed to the front of the news. Perhaps one reason it hasn't been covered so heavily because wildfires are burning all over that area of the US right now and it takes something more extreme to catch attention. (See this map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/PublicInformation/index.html?appid=4ae7c683b9574856a3d3b7f75162b3f4) I too hope that those of you in the vicinity of any of these fires are safe and remain so. I cannot imagine what it would be like to live in an area where that is a real fear. Edited December 1, 2016 by dust 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Posted November 30, 2016 (edited) The fire which hit Gatlinburg blossomed and shifted direction fairly quickly so the impact rapidly changed from "forest fire" to "homes, businesses and lives lost" which gets more media attention. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has historically been the most visited in the country, BTW. Edited December 1, 2016 by Brian 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gatito Posted November 30, 2016 Tuesday, 29 November 2016 Tennessee wildfires kill three and force thousands to evacuateFire near Gatlinburg, fed by high winds and drought conditions, has destroyed buildings, knocked out power and canceled school classes www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/29/tennessee-wildfires-gatlinburg-dollywood-pigeon-forge 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gatito Posted November 30, 2016 Wednesday 30 November 2016 17.23 GMT 'Human caused' wildfires kill four in Tennessee near Dollywood parkFires in the Great Smoky Mountains have been tearing through the popular tourist town of Gatlinburg since Monday, forcing thousands to leave their homes www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/30/tennessee-wildfires-human-caused-gatlinburg-dollywood-theme-park 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted December 1, 2016 Yikes ! makes my little one seem like a smoking ashtray ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Posted December 1, 2016 http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/inside-the-gatlinburg-fires-apocalyptic-wasteland/ar-AAkZC7z 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redcairo Posted December 1, 2016 http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/inside-the-gatlinburg-fires-apocalyptic-wasteland/ar-AAkZC7z "It was like an apocalyptic wasteland," Reese recalled, his throat still sore from inhaling smoke. Seven people died in fires across Sevier County this week, authorities confirmed Wednesday, and early assessments indicate more than 700 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. Fire officials said that number includes about 300 buildings inside the Gatlinburg city limits. The blaze erupted as flames stoked by 90-mph winds raged through town Monday night into Tuesday morning, displacing more than 14,000 residents and consuming more than 15,000 acres. That will teach me to believe the numerous people constantly commenting in Twitter that their news source X still had nothing on the topic -- apparently this was wrong. Hazard of indirect news in my case. Quite a disaster. Really feel for the people in those areas. Although fires always make me feel so horrible for animals. So many perish. RC 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dawei Posted December 2, 2016 The things the mainstream media cover often seem quite random to me. CAN WE PUT THAT IN ALL CAPS 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Posted December 7, 2016 2 children charged with aggravated arson in deadly East TN wildfires 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kar3n Posted December 7, 2016 Good lord, tragic situation all the way around. What on earth were those kids thinking? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Posted December 14, 2016 (edited) Don't know if anyone is interested, or can find it, but Dolly and friends are doing a live telethon now... She has pledged to give $1000/month to every family which lost their home. Lots of good people from across the spectrum and across the nation. Cindy Lauper is doing "Time After Time" on a dulcimer right now. Paul Simon called in a few minutes ago and donated $100k. My contribution was not so significant but we are looking into being a foster family for a displaced dog from Gatlinburg. Edited December 14, 2016 by Brian 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
