http://www.boston.com/dailynews/320/nation/Wildfires_continue_to_rage_in_:.shtml

Wildfires continue to rage in Tennessee; Forest Service calls on inmates to help in firefighting

By Elizabeth A. Davis, Associated Press, 11/16/2001 05:35

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Fires burned across parched Tennessee for another day as the U.S. Forest Service enlisted prison inmates in the effort to stamp out blazes that have scorched nearly 30,000 acres in the state this month.

With no rain in sight until Monday, officials were most concerned about a fire near the Great Smoky Mountains, about 30 miles southeast of Knoxville. Scores of firefighters were battling the blaze, and one air tanker was dropping fire retardant along the steep, rocky hillside.

''We still have a ways to go,'' said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Dave Freeland, who was brought in from the Sequoyah National Forest in California. ''The fire isn't raging out of control but if we get some low humidities or higher winds it could flare up and be out of control in a short period of time.''

The fire was located two miles from Pigeon Forge, but was not endangering the tourist town, which includes the Dollywood theme park.

''All the attractions, theaters, restaurants and lodging establishments are open and busy taking care of our visitors,'' said Kay Powell, assistant director of tourism.

Since the end of October, 520 fires most set intentionally have burned 29,000 acres across the state. Nine people have been arrested on arson-related charges and one firefighter has been killed.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested Thursday and admitted to setting two fires, said Tom Womack, a spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

In the past week, nearly 70,000 acres have burned in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia and Georgia.

In Tennessee, firefighters reported some progress Thursday. Aided by 60 inmates from Brushy Mountain State Prison, fire crews reported that they had contained a 3,000-acre fire south of Knoxville.

The largest fire in the state was a 4,000-acre blaze between Nashville and Knoxville. Womack said crews were having a hard time because of the rugged terrain and remote area. No homes were in immediate danger.

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2001

Answers

I spoke with my mother last weekend, and she told me about the fires.

She said that some adults have been arrested for starting them, and their reason was because they were "bored". What crap!

I told her they should drop them all from a plane somewhere in the heat of things over in Afganistan. That should cure their boredom.

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2001