GATLINBURG, Tenn. _The death toll still stood at 13 people Friday as authorities continue to sort through the wreckage left behind by a wildfire called the state's worst in at least a century.
Crews hope to wrap up the search by nightfall, Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said at an afternoon news conference. The National Guard and other emergency services personnel continue to search through some of the nearly 1,000 buildings destroyed or damaged by the fire, marking driveways as they sweep communities.
The announcement came hours after local, state and federal officials fended off criticism of their handling of the fire, which devastated this resort town and surrounding Sevier County communities.
"We're not going to get into Monday-morning quarterbacking," Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said as he cut short a morning news conference. "We did the best we could, and we're sorry."
Questions have been raised about what local authorities knew about the real danger of the fire and when officials alerted residents and visitors to flee as the wildfire raced toward town. Although an emergency management system sent out an alert, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said that alert never went to all local mobile devices because of the constraints of the system.
Alice Hagler, 70, missing from Chalet Village, a collection of rental cabins, was one of three dead found in that neighborhood, her son has said. Memphis couple Jon and Janet Summers, who'd also been staying in Chalet Village, apparently died there as well, according to Jon Summers' brother, Jim.
Officials confirmed the deaths of the Summers couple, Hagler and three others on Friday.
John Tegler, 71, and Janet Tegler, 70, a couple from Canada, also died in Chalet Village, said Vincent Tolley, an assistant medical examiner.
May Vance died of a heart attack from smoke inhalation.
Another victim has been identified, but that person's relatives haven't yet been notified, Tolley said. Officials are still working to confirm the identities of the remaining dead.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has set up a hotline at 800-TBI-FIND for loved ones to report anyone missing. Agents have closed 150 leads so far generated through the hotline, Waters said.
Friday marked the first time residents in the hardest-hit parts of town were allowed to return to their homes and buildings to assess damage. Homeowners and tenants were told to provide proof of residency in order to enter the city, which has remained barricaded by police since the city's 14,000 residents began to flee Monday evening.
Residents will be able to return again from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday. A curfew will be in place from 6 p.m.-6 a.m.
The city hopes to fully reopen by Wednesday, City Manager Cindy Ogle said.
A map will be posted online with updates in real time on the status of damaged properties at seviercountytn.org.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, who visited town on Friday with U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker of Tennessee, said state agencies will do everything possible to work with residents on insurance claims, applications for unemployment benefits and other assistance and to distribute Federal Emergency Management Agency aid. The governor signed an executive order relaxing some state laws to help residents with recovery and said the state will build a job bank for hourly workers facing the loss of employment in Gatlinburg's service-oriented tourist economy.
The governor said condolences and offers of support continue to pour in, from the White House and across the country, for a town that's come to be identified with the Smoky Mountains and the most-visited national park.
"We all grew up playing in these mountains," Haslam said. "We all know and love this place."
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the National Park Service has said the blaze was "human-caused." Investigators from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are working with Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers to determine the origin of the fire, which started last week in the remote Chimney Tops Trail area of the park, and whether someone set it intentionally.
Eighty-five people had been treated for fire-related injuries so far, officials said.
Fire Chief Greg Miller for days has warned about the chance that the fires could reignite, noting the rain earlier this week wouldn't necessarily make up for drought conditions that plagued the area all summer. On Thursday, smoke still rose from blackened brush piles, logs and homes. Several open flames could be seen sporadically.
Miller said the majority of the major fires were out, but firefighters continued to stamp out any remaining hot spots on Wednesday.
Fire appeared to strike homes and businesses haphazardly. One row of houses might survive unscathed, while a business across the street would be gutted.
Some were able to make it back to their properties earlier this week. Retired teacher Richard T. Ramsey and his wife, Sue, found the home on Kings Way where they've lived for 41 years reduced to ash and rubble.
Steve Wilson watched Wednesday afternoon as his wife, Rebecca Bell, sifted through charred wood and residue, pulling out spoons while searching for a ring that had sentimental value.
Ramsey said 41 years of work went up in less than three hours. Wilson said he knew neighbors who didn't lose their homes felt guilty.
Both said they plan to rebuild.
There were around 200 people in shelters Thursday night, down from 2,000 earlier this week, according to the Red Cross. Donations continue to pour in.
The state continues to offer services for those who need to file insurance or unemployment claims.
City officials hope to have most of Gatlinburg reopened to the public sometime next week.
