Two separate brush fires fought simultaneously; a total of three fires

Fire photos are from the first of three fires Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. This is at White Rock Road.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The first of three fire calls came in to Central Dispatch Tuesday at 8:02pm followed by a second fire call at 10:34pm and then a 2:25am call, the third, on Wednesday. It ended up being triple duty for firefighters with the Campbell County Rural Fire Service.

“The high winds have been a huge challenge on keeping the fires contained,” said Captain Daniel Lawson with the Campbell County Rural Fire Service.

The first fire, on White Rock Road at Jacksboro, just off Mt. Zion Road, burned seven acres all the while several homes were saved though two out buildings did catch fire. It was battled by the CCRFS with mutual aid from the fire departments of Caryville, Jacksboro and La Follette. The State Forestry Service responded along with the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.

Firefighters cleared that first scene (above) at 1:15 Wednesday morning.

Just after 10:30pm, another crew of CCRFS firefighters answered the Bankston Lane call. This fire was outside Demory near Norris Lake and was contained to a half acre with one out building saved. Firefighters were able to get it under control and were able to leave the scene just before midnight.

In the wee hours of Wednesday, 2:25, a third brush fire developed off of Hiawassee at Jacksboro. It was contained to about a half acre. The CCRFS handled this fire.

There were no injuries.

It appears that downed power lines due to the high winds likely started the White Rock Road and Hiawassee fires, according to officials. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 02/28/2024-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF CCRFS CAPTAIN DANIEL LAWSON)

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