Huge fires on Daus and Smith Mountain

SEQUATCHIE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Plumes of thick smoke blanketed the skies above Daus Mountain and Smith Mountain as fire crews rushed to the scene.

Firefighters worked tirelessly to put out the flames—battling heavy smoke, intense heat, and steep terrain—while concerned neighbors watched from a distance.

Charlie Pecht, a local community member, explained, “It was just… it was just going, and then all of a sudden, there was another fire that kind of started over to the right of that. Then, it just rushed up the ridge, and we could see the flames as they crested the plateau.”

“It’s been going for at least a couple of hours, since 1:30, and it’s just moving very slowly, inexorably toward a number of houses,” Tom Navin, another local community member, described.

News 12 was able to access parts of the burning area near Smith Mountain and captured firefighters in action, hoses in hand, navigating through charred brush.

However, access was limited near Dawson Mountain, as officials blocked all entry points, not allowing anyone near the more dangerous parts of the fire zone.

John Kibodeaux, a local community member, elaborated, “And as you can see, our bluff line is on fire. Pretty scary moment at the time, since the next house over is in danger. If it gets past this house, then perhaps it’s going to get to mine.”

We’ve reached out to the fire department for more details on what sparked the fire and when it might be fully contained.

At this time, it’s still unclear how much land has been affected.

News 12 will continue following this developing story and bring you the latest updates as we learn more.

Video courtesy of Ace and Kerry Jones and Allen Jones.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Johnson, Lone Oak FD, Sequatchie County, TN