Warren Co Executive Says Wildfire Mostly Contained After Tuesday Rain

The wildfire in Warren County that has been burning since Monday night is now under control.

County Executive Terry Bell said water drops by the National Guard and rain Tuesday afternoon has extinguished the majority of flames.

“A lot of the problem with this fire was the wind,” Bell said. “We got from 40 to 50 miles per hour wind yesterday afternoon on the mountain before the rain came in. I don’t know how things would have turned out if we haven’t had got the rain, because the winds died down after the rain. So, it was all just a combination.”

Bell said the command center for the disaster has been dismantled, and all local fire crews have been sent home for a much needed rest. Bell said he estimates at one point that over 200 firefighters were in the Isha area fighting the flames.

“I will be checking on seeing if there is any money to help our fire departments for the cost that they are out,” Bell said. “When you fight fire, it costs money. So, we are going to be checking if there is any state resources for that.”

Bell said the Tennessee Department of Forestry remains on the scene Wednesday closely watching hotspots. State officials have indicated that the flames should be 100 percent under control by the end of the day.

“I just want to thank everybody in the Upper Cumberland area,” Bell said. “There were fire departments here from everywhere.”