Residents React to Lookout Mountain Blaze

“Definitely not something I expected coming into work today. I thought it was just going to be a normal shift, and then I look up and the whole mountain is on fire,” says Kaden Moore, a resident who was caught by surprise this morning.

A brush fire on Lookout Mountain sparked evacuations early this morning. The Chattanooga Fire Department, along with units from the National Park Service, Tennessee Forestry Service, and Lookout Mountain Fire Department, quickly joined forces to respond to the blaze.

“I have a little bit of anxiety, but it’s okay. I’m sure the great firefighters and police officers in Chattanooga will handle it.”

As a precaution, about 20 homes along St. Elmo Incline Railway were evacuated.

“It comes with the turf of living around here, and our local firefighters and the National Park Service have been great, but still, it’s part of life on the mountain, especially since we’ve had this drought. We could really use the rain in the next few days,” said Jack Zibluka, a resident.

For residents on that mountain the fire sparked a complete reevaluation of their emergency plans and how to be prepared for the unexpected

The evacuation was called off by 5 PM.