The death toll caused by the wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tenn., has climbed to 13, according to local officials in the Eastern Tennessee town.
Thankfully that number hasn't risen since Friday morning after it continued to rise throughout the week. In addition, 85 people have sought treatment for fire-related injuries, according to WBIR-TV.
Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said Friday that crews were expected to finish their "soft search" of the nearly 1,000 fire damaged buildings in Gatlinburg by 7 p.m. Friday.
Waters spoke as business owners and home owners were returning to the city of Gatlinburg for the first time since the wildfires began damaging the area Monday.
More from WBIR:
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. those who could prove they had ties to evacuated and closed areas in the town were allowed through a checkpoint to look at their property.
The checkpoint, however, caused long lines, according to Gatlinburg City manager Cindy Ogle. Residents and business owners will continue to be able to pass through the checkpoint during similar hours through the weekend and early next week. The city's curfew remains in effect through Saturday.
The fire, which burned more than 15,000 acres, is believed to be caused by arson. Federal investigators are searching for the person or people that caused it.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Chris Enloe
Staff Writer
