J103 impacted by wildfire on Lookout Mountain

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Local radio station, J103, experienced damage due to a wildfire on Lookout Mountain.

The wildfire is keeping J103 from broadcasting on the airways.

J103 FM’s main tower was affected by the wildfire on Lookout Mountain near the Lula Lake Land Trusts property Saturday night.

“If you think about J103, it’s made up of two different radio stations: 102.7 and 103.1. So the fire has affected 102.7, which is our main broadcast tower,” J103 President Justin Wade said.

Authorities do not know the full extent of the damage.

The stations’ engineers are working to assess the damage and make repairs as soon as it is safe to work in the area.

“We have a backup now playing after the guys worked all night to get that up and going on 103.1, but it wouldn’t sound as normal compared to what you would usually hear on J103,” Wade said.

The president said they should know more on the extent of damage and interruption in broadcasting soon.

“It’s kind of disheartening to turn on J103 and it’s just static. There’s nothing happening. But everyone can download the J103 app on their Android or iPhone, or just go to J103.com and listen to the stream there. And keep listening to the usual signal that you would listen to,” Wade said.

Their request is for prayers and support as they get back up and running.

“We love serving this community. We feel like the message of hope and encouragement through Jesus is something that our community needs. At least if that has been slightly disrupted, because of this wildfire, we just hope to get back to normal as soon as possible,” Wade said.

To make donations to offset expenses please visit www.J103.com.

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY KIMBERLY GEORGE WITH GEORGE COMMUNICATIONS.