UPDATE: Investigators say Lookout Mtn. wildfire likely caused by rockslide

UPDATE: The National Parks Service (NPS) says investigators have found the likely cause of the wildfire on Lookout Mountain over the weekend.

An NPS investigator determined the fire started in the Lookout Mountain Battlefield at around 5:30am on Saturday.

The likely cause is believed to be a large rockslide that sent boulders tumbling down from the top of Lookout Mountain towards Ochs Highway.

The boulders hit several trees and other stationary boulders along the way, creating extreme heat and sparks.

The boulders also pushed over a large tree which hit a power line near the Hardy Trail.
Although the incident with the powerline could have created sparks, the NPS investigator said the evidence at the scene indicates the rockslide as the probable cause of the fire.

No evidence of human activity was found in the area where the wildfire started.

The fire is fully contained and 100% controlled, so it is not expected to spread under the current conditions.

The NPS says a final report on the investigation will be done after the fire is out, which is expected to take about two weeks.

The Incline Railway is expected to be closed for months to repair damage caused by the fire.

The Mountain Beautiful Trail is closed until further notice.
 
Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this developing story.


PREVIOUS STORY: Carta officials say the Incline Railway has suffered "significant damage," facing months of repairs from the Lookout Mountain fire on Saturday.

While the fire is under control, some sections of the railway still continue to smolder. The severed cable system alone could take months to manufacture a replacement.


Crews are waiting for the fire to be fully controlled, which is different than containment.
CARTA explains there are several critical areas of damage:

• The cable system has been severed and will require months to remanufacture due to its specialized nature.
• Both the rail system and cross timbers have sustained damage, though the full extent remains unknown.
• The railway is insured, and the insurance company has been engaged.

CARTA has taken the following steps towards restoration as of Dec. 10:

• Replacement plans are underway with the cable manufacturer for the specialized replacement cable, which was fully replaced in April 2024
• Rail manufacturers have been engaged and are standing by.
• Timber suppliers are on alert to provide necessary materials.
• Engineers will begin their comprehensive assessment tomorrow and develop a repair plan for the rail and timbers.

While there is never a favorable time for disaster to strike, CARTA says their scheduled emergency response training this year proved extremely timely.

They completed the following preparations before the Lookout Mountain fire:

• Day-long rescue exercises with the Chattanooga Fire Department's Special Operations team
• Coordination with Hamilton County Emergency Management and local first responders
• Practice of complex extraction scenarios from elevated trestles using specialized equipment
• Chattanooga Fire was at the Incline the prior Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

"The swift and professional response from all emergency personnel, combined with the preparedness of our Incline Railway team, prevented what could have been a far more devastating situation," said Charles D. Frazier, CARTA CEO. "The joint training exercise that CARTA initiated in April with emergency responders proved invaluable in protecting this historic landmark. While we face significant repairs ahead, I want to assure our community that we will restore this Tennessee treasure for future generations to experience and enjoy.

The Incline Railway has been a part of Chattanooga's story for 129 years, and we are committed to ensuring it remains a vital part of our community's future."

PREVIOUS STORY: Local 3 is learning more about the damage done to the Incline Railway by the Lookout Mountain fire over the weekend.

In a Facebook post, Rock City said the Incline Railway is temporarily closed for repairs.
According to CARTA, the site remains an active emergency scene and is under the management of first responders.

Although the fire damaged the Incline's cable system and rails, both incline vehicles are secure and undamaged, as well as both the lower station in St. Elmo and upper station on Lookout Mountain.

"The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway has been an integral part of Chattanooga's identity since 1895 and holds a special place in Tennessee's heritage. Given the unique engineering and safety requirements of our steep-grade railway, we will need to complete comprehensive structural and technical assessments once emergency responders have completed their work. Only after these thorough evaluations can we develop appropriate restoration plans," says CARTA.


Around 20 homes were evacuated over the weekend because of the fire on Lookout Mountain.

CARTA has not said when the Incline will reopen at this time.

Tickets for the Incline are valid for one year from the date of purchase. You can email Rock City with any questions.

A spokesperson for the National Parks Service (NPS) said the fire is about 10 acres and remains fully contained as crews continue to monitor the flames.

The NPS said black smoke, created from the fire reaching the railroad ties on the tracks or rails along the Incline, could be visible for several days.

The Mountain Beautiful Trail is closed until further notice.


PREVIOUS STORY: The National Park Service (NPS) informed Local 3 that the Lookout Mountain fire has been 100% contained as of 4:00pm on Sunday.
Todd Milsaps, Chief Ranger of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga Military Park, says that the team began with water treatment, and moved to foam treatment once the fire was less severe.

According to NPS, Grand Smoky Mountain rangers are conducting their final check in which they walk the area's perimeter. A minimal crew will be on site tonight and tomorrow.

The exact cause of the fire is undetermined. A Wildfire Arson Investigator is working the case, however Chief Milsaps says that it is unknown whether the fire was human-caused.

Chief Milsaps explained there will be another debrief on Monday, December 9.

 
PREVIOUS STORY: The National Park Service (NPS) told Local 3 that they are continuing to monitor the fire on Lookout Mountain, specifically along the Incline Railway, this morning.

They say the fire has grown to ten acres, and it is 75% contained at this time.

Although the fire has grown technically, NPS says they are not currently "battling" the fire. At this time, they are "mopping up" to put out any hot spots that might spark up.
 
The Chattanooga Fire Department says they are assisting Lookout Mountain Fire in having firefighters out in UTVs, riding the trails of Lookout Mountain to monitor the area.
The Chattanooga Fire Department says evacuations in St. Elmo have been lifted as crews continue to extinguish the fire on Lookout Mountain.


PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga fire says there is a fire break around the entire impacted area of the Lookout Mountain fire. Crews are working to extinguish the fires at railroad ties on the Incline Railway, which is difficult to reach.

Teams are on "fire watch" through the night along the rail.

Chattanooga fire says crews first responded to the brush fire at 6:46am and have been fighting the blaze alongside the US Forest Service, Tennessee Forestry, CFD, Lookout Mountain FD, CPD and HCEMS throughout the day.
By afternoon when the flames reached the Incline Railway, several businesses and homes were evacuated near the lower incline as a precaution.

Around 20 homes on Old Mountain Road and W 40th Street were evacuated as well.
By 5:00pm, all evacuations were lifted.

CARTA, who owns the Incline Railway, stated the following statement:
"The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is temporarily closed due to an ongoing active fire incident.

We are fully cooperating with emergency response teams who are currently managing the situation. The safety of our guests and staff remains our highest priority.

We will conduct a thorough assessment once emergency personnel have secured the site and will provide updates regarding service restoration when appropriate."


PREVIOUS STORY: The Chattanooga Fire Department says evacuations in St. Elmo have been lifted as crews continue to extinguish the fire on Lookout Mountain.

 
PREVIOUS STORY: Multiple homes and businesses have been evacuated as the Lookout Mountain fire has reached the Incline Railway.
 

• Multiple businesses and homes from St. Elmo Avenue to Tennessee Avenue and Old Mountain Road to St. Elmo Avenue.
• 38th Street to the Incline Railway and everything to the left of the incline area, including Mr. T's Pizza and the 1885 restaurant. 

PREVIOUS STORY: The Chattanooga Fire Department has turned the fire on Lookout Mountain over to the National Park Service and Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry.
 
CFD says that the fire has now made its way to the Incline Railway's tracks. They are sending additional personnel to help stop the spread of the fire.
Residents should expect to see helicopters working to extinguish the fire.

 
PREVIOUS STORY: The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) and several other agencies are responding to a brush fire on the side of Lookout Mountain. They responded to the fire around 7:00am on Saturday, December 7 from the 700 block of South Scenic Highway after several calls had been made to 911.
CFD says that, at this time, there are no injuries and no structural damages.