GATLINBURG, Tenn.: Crews discovered the remains of more people as they searched the rubble of wildfires that torched hundreds of homes and businesses near the Great Smoky Mountains, bringing the death toll to 11, officials said Thursday.
Authorities set up a hotline for people to report missing friends and relatives, and after following up on dozens of leads, they said many of those people had been accounted for. They did not say whether they believe anyone else is still missing or may have died.
“I think it’s fair to say that the search is winding down,” Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said. “And hopefully we will not find any more.”
He said the searches would likely be completed Friday.
Nearly 24 hours of rain on Wednesday helped dampen the wildfires, but fire officials cautioned that months of drought have left the ground bone-dry and wildfires can rekindle.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam declared a state of emergency to expedite aid to victims of the wildfires and storms in eastern Tennessee.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash has said the fires were “likely to be human-caused” but has refused to elaborate.
On Thursday, state and local authorities arrested a man on charges of setting a Nov. 14 wildfire that burned 65 acres. Dakota Ashton Tucker, 24, of Monteagle was charged with setting a fire in Sequatchie County. He was being held in Grundy County jail and additional charges are pending.
A number of funds have been established to help wildfire victims, including one set up by country music legend and Sevier County native Dolly Parton.
She said the Dollywood Co. and the Dollywood Foundation are establishing a fund that will provide $1,000 monthly to families who lost their homes.