Campgrounds and roads closed Monday in Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to a forecast calling for "dangerously high winds" and extreme fire danger.
The park closed Elkmont and Cades Cove campgrounds and most park roads to protect visitors, employees and park resources.
"We understand these closures are an inconvenience, but we are trying to eliminate as much risk as possible during this dangerous weather event," said Superintendent Cassius Cash.
Park rangers were to start closing roads by early afternoon and encourage visitors currently in the park to leave as soon as possible. Newfound Gap (Highway 441 from Sugarlands Visitor Center to Smokemont Campground) was to close around 1 p.m. Monday. The following roads were closed:
- Clingmans Dome Road.
- Cherokee Orchard Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
- Foothills Parkway between Walland and Wears Valley.
- Little River Road between the Townsend Wye to Sugarlands Visitor Center.
- Laurel Creek Road and Cades Cove Loop Road.
- Cataloochee Road.
- Lakeview Drive.
Gatlinburg Bypass, Foothills Parkway West (from Look Rock to Highway 129), and other park roads will remain open as long as safely possible, a park release said, adding that the Spur will remain open as long as safe vehicle passage exists.
Winds were expected to grow stronger this afternoon and overnight with sustained winds at 40 mph and hurricane-force gusts. A red flag warning was in effect for the Smokies, which means very low humidities and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger. A burn ban is currently in place in the park, which prohibits all campfires and charcoal use until further notice.
Visitors should exercise extreme caution, check the park website for alerts and heed warnings from the National Weather Service and local emergency managers when making travel plans. Hikers should avoid hiking during the high wind warning.
Campgrounds, facilities and roads will remain closed until the high wind and red flag warnings have expired and park rangers can assess roads and facilities.
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