Two Pigeon Forge firefighters had to abandon their vehicle when fire entrapped it while fighting the Hatcher Mountain fire, officials reported Thursday.

The two firefighters sought refuge in an area already burned over by the fire and made it out with only minor injuries.

The crewmembers are assigned to Detachment 1, Company C, 1- 171st Aviation Regiment, based in Knoxville, and were airlifting water to drop on wildfires near Pigeon Forge.

The pilots were able to safety land the helicopter on a soccer field near Line Springs Road.

— Tenn. National Guard (@TNMilitaryDept) March 31, 2022

The escape is only one of the close calls experienced in fighting the fire, which has spread to 3,700 acres. The fire is 5% contained as of noon Thursday, though firefighters do have it mostly surrounded.

As of Thursday morning, five pieces of apparatus were damaged by the fire, and roughly 100 homes were damaged. At about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, a Tennessee National Guard Blackhawk helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing on a soccer field when its engine failed.

The helicopter was involved in dropping water on the fires when it experienced engine trouble. It first jettisoned its water bucket and then landed in the field. All four crew members are fine.

The future of fire safety and rescue courtesy of the @FDNY. pic.twitter.com/VSJEbPn0hs

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) March 31, 2022

Being the mayor has its perks.

Mayor Eric Adams put on a short demo of the FDNY’s new $75,000 robot search dog Thursday.

So far, so good. One question: Who cleans up after it?

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Phenix Technology, Inc., a nearly 50-year-old Riverside-based firefighting equipment manufacturer was announced as the winner of the highly coveted 2021 Small Business Eagle Award.

Interested parties can read more about the event at

https://www.riverside-chamber.com/Programs.cfm.

The prestigious Small Business Eagle Award, recognizing Phenix Technology, Inc.’s leadership and achievement in operating a small business, was collected during the Chamber’s Annual Inauguration Celebration on Thursday night.

In operation since 1972, Phenix has earned a reputation in recent years for its work to develop people and companies through responsible business practices, mentorship, and local engagement within the Greater Riverside area.

Director of Global Operations of Phenix Technology, Inc., Angel Sanchez, Jr., explains how “this award aligns with a core value of Phenix: Leave the world a better place. It is a testament to the commitment of family members here at Phenix to be honored with such a prestigious recognition by the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce. We are both humbled and ecstatic to celebrate this award. Our team, known internally as family members, have earned this award during a truly unprecedented time for small businesses and the manufacturing industry at large.”

For more information about Phenix Technology, Inc., visit www.phenixfirehelmets.com.