Death toll rises in Gatlinburg fire
The death toll in the Gatlinburg fires has risen to 10, officials confirmed Thursday, as search crews scoured the area surrounding the Great Smokey Mountains resort town for survivors of the blaze.
Dozens were also injured in the fire, which swept into the region Monday night fueled by powerful winds.
Many parts of Gatlinburg remained off limits on Thursday. Some 700 homes were destroyed or damaged in the fires.
Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters emphasized what a "depressing, distressing time it is for us. ... We're absolutely distraught."
Residents are anxious about homes and businesses there. The town will be reopened to residents beginning Friday on a limited basis.
"I think the search is winding down," Waters said. "A huge percentage of the city and county have been searched."
Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller told reporters gathered at a staging area on Thursday that several days have now elapsed since the fire flared. As time passes, the hopes of finding survivors dwindles.
"We're still in a search and rescue operation," Miller said. "I will always hold on to hope, but we're in hour 65 of this."
More than 100 phone calls have streamed into a hotline set up for people searching for friends and loved ones. Officials are following up on 70 leads, although it is unclear if those translate onto missing people.
The number of those injured in the fire has grown, from 53 on Wednesday to 80 on Thursday.
While Wednesday's rain has helped tamp down the worst of the fires, officials cautioned Thursday that some hot spots may remain. The precipitation hasn't been enough to eliminate the effects of a longstanding drought.
Some 200 firefighters remain in the field Thursday
