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May 22, 2013

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Rain dampens wildfire near Great Smoky Mountains

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The Mountain,Curt Habraken / AP

Firefighters set a boundary as cabins burn on Black Bear Cub Way in Sevier County, Tenn on Sunday, March 17, 2013.

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — Heavy rains have helped firefighters gain control of a Tennessee wildfire that burned nearly 60 rental cabins in a resort area near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency spokesman Dean Flener says three downpours have allowed firefighters to get the fire outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park under control Monday.

He said a small crew would remain on duty overnight but many firefighters were being pulled back. Earlier Monday, National Guard helicopters had been scooping up water from nearby lakes and air dropping it on the flames.

The fire burned about 160 acres, forcing the evacuation of up to 200 people who had been staying in cabins in the area. There had been two minor injuries but no deaths.

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