The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency issued a state of emergency and activated the Tennessee Emergency Management Plan in response to the drought, wildfire impacts, and continued threat, in the State.
On Thursday officials issued a Level 3 – State of Emergency.
“Approximately 302 of Tennessee’s 480 water systems are experiencing some level of drought impact, ranging from moderate to exceptional. At least three counties have requested water for residents whose wells have run completely dry of water," said Statement from TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan.
In the past month, an estimated 6,000 to 6,200 acres have burned due to wildfires in Bledsoe, Hamilton, Monroe, and Sequatchie counties.
Currently, there are 53 active fires in Tennessee impacting 9,680 acres. On Wed., Nov. 9, 2016, residents in 10 to 15 homes near the Flippers Bend fire in Hamilton County were evacuated. An additional wildfire in Hamilton County and wildfires in Campbell and Sequatchie counties are also threatening homes and property.
Furthermore, relief from the drought and wildfire threat is not imminent as weather forecasts are not showing any significant precipitation in Tennessee through the remainder of 2016.
