Updates on the suspected cause of the Lookout Mountain fire
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It has almost been one week since a wildland fire disrupted one of the city’s most iconic attractions and we are finally getting answers as to how it’s suspected to have happened.
After a thorough investigation by a National Park Service investigator, the cause of the wildfire that ignited Lookout Mountain Battlefield was determined to be a natural event.
The railway, which first opened in 1895, is a beloved tourist destination that attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Its closure has left both locals and tourists wondering how long the repairs will take and what caused everything to unfold.
When asked more about how the fire was suspected to have started, Todd Milsaps, the Chief Ranger of Chickamauga and Chattanooga Military Park, stated that this type of event can “occur with the type of rock that makes up the [Lookout] Mountain. You’ve got those freeze/thaw cycles you know where water seeps into the crack and then when it freezes it expands and over time when it happens again and again, one of those sections can fracture off, and that’s what happened in this case.”
National Park Services stated that the event began around 5:30 am on December 7th with a large rockslide, likely caused by freeze/thaw action. Large boulders tumbled from the top of Lookout Mountain towards Ochs Highway.
The boulders struck many trees and other stationary boulders along the way, creating immense heat and sparks. No evidence of human activity was found in the steep slope area where the wildfire originated.
No injuries were reported during the fire, thanks to the quick action of staff and first responders. However, officials warn that repairs could take weeks or even months, depending on the extent of the damage.
The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway has been a cornerstone of Chattanooga’s history for over a century. While its future is temporarily on hold, the community remains hopeful for its restoration.
