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Six Clarksville Firefighters head to East Tennessee

Crew will help in aftermath of wildfires that struck Sevier County

City of Clarksville - Clarksville, TNClarksville, TN – The City of Clarksville has sent six firefighters to East Tennessee to help battle fires that have ravaged Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Fire Chief Mike Roberts said the local firefighters from Clarksville Fire Rescue volunteered for the duty and by 1:00pm Tuesday were headed to join crews in Sevier County.

Members of Clarksville Fire Rescue departed for duty in East Tennessee Tuesday afternoon.
Members of Clarksville Fire Rescue departed for duty in East Tennessee Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re sending six firefighters equipped with their gear and a brush truck,” Chief Roberts said. “We expect they mostly will be involved in search and rescue operations.”

More than 150 homes and businesses in Gatlinburg lay in smoking ruins Tuesday after wildfire flames whipped by high-speed winds raged overnight through town and displaced more than 14,000 residents, officials said.

“Clarksville is glad to help other Tennesseans in this time of need,” Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan said.

Clarksville firefighters will join a force of at least 200 volunteers from communities across the state and some 125 National Guardsmen on the ground in Sevier County.

Chief Roberts said the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security District 7 put out the call early Tuesday for help, and six Clarksville Fire Rescue firefighters quickly stepped up.

“We’ve committed them for three days,” Roberts said. “Then we’ll step back and evaluate the ongoing needs.”

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