2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires

2016 wildfires that occurred in Sevier County, Tennessee, United States May 2025 February 2025 2016 Great Smoky Mountains Wildfires the 2016 Southeastern United States wildfires File:East of Chimney Tops2 Fire 2016 12 03-14.38.22.002-CST.jpg Smoke from the Chimney Tops 2 Fire 2 billion in damages Unknown 14 Satterfield Jamie National Park Service failed to warn residents in deadly Gatlinburg wildfires, judge rules https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2020/09/09/national-park-service-failed-warn-gatlinburg-wildfires-judge-rules/5752222002/ September 9, 2020 Knoxville News Sentinel September 9, 2020Lakin Matt 1 year ago, a 'whole mountain on fire' forever changed Gatlinburg https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2017/11/19/gatlinburg-wildfire-one-year-later-smoky-mountains-horror-heroism/859695001/ September 9, 2020 Knoxville News Sentinel November 19, 2017Chimney Tops 2 Fire https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/chimney-tops-2-fire.htm Great Smoky Mountains National Park National Park Service September 9, 2020 December 22, 2016 Two juveniles charged with arson in deadly Tennessee fire http://www.wlwt.com/article/two-juveniles-charged-with-arson-in-tennessee-fires/8475295 wlwt.com WLWT 5 7 December 2016 November 23, 2016 – December 22, 2016 Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Sevier County, Tennessee, United States 35.6289763 N 83.478327 W dim:30_region:US-TN_type:event inline,title 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires 17,900 acre km2 0 2,460 destroyed Arson Two juveniles charged with aggravated arson Negligence 2016 The 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires, also known as the Gatlinburg wildfires, were a complex of wildfires which began in mid October 2016. Some of the towns most impacted were Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, both near Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The fires killed at least 14 people,Carr Ada December 4, 2016 Gatlinburg Residents Get First Look at Destruction Left Behind By Wildfire | The Weather Channel https://weather.com/news/news/tennessee-gatlinburg-sevier-fires weather.com December 5, 2016December 4, 2016 The Latest: Death toll from wildfires increases to 14 http://bigstory.ap.org/article/064a54f6e66043a2aaff3f6bf9994e04/5-more-victims-names-released-gatlinburg-wildfires ap.org December 5, 2016 December 5, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161205132407/http://www.bigstory.ap.org/article/064a54f6e66043a2aaff3f6bf9994e04/5-more-victims-names-released-gatlinburg-wildfires dead injured 190,http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/05/us/tennessee-gatlinburg-wildfires/index.html Death toll in Sevier County still rising Rolando Zenteno Jason Hanna Madison Park 5 December 2016 CNN and were some of the largest arson-caused fires in the history of Tennessee.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-fires-tennessee-idUSKBN13O2E3 Laila Kearney and Dan Whitcomb reuters.com Great Smoky Mountains fires leave three dead, 'scene of destruction' | Reuters 29 November 2016 December 4, 2016http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/Great-Smoky-Mountains-Gatlinburg-Wildfires-403498386.html nbcnewyork.com Fires Near Smoky Mountains Prompt Mandatory Evacuations in Tennessee | NBC New York 29 November 2016 December 4, 2016Bracken Matt November 29, 2016 Gatlinburg evacuated after Great Smoky Mountains National Park fire http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/2016/11/gatlinburg-evacuated-after-great-smoky-mountains-national-park-fire/ BaltimoreSun.com December 5, 2016 August 10, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200810214500/http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/2016/11/gatlinburg-evacuated-after-great-smoky-mountains-national-park-fire/ dead By December 12, the fires had burned more than 10,000 acres (15 square miles) inside the national park, and 6,000 acres in other parts of the area. At least 14,000 area residents and tourists were forced to evacuate, while over 2,000 buildings were damaged and/or destroyed. One of the largest wildfires was the Chimney Tops 2 Fire, which burned more than 10,000 acres, and closed the Chimney Tops Trail.Chavez K November 28, 2016 http://www.citizen-times.com/story/sports/outdoors/girls-gone-outdoors/2016/11/28/us-441-smokies-trails-close-2nd-fire/94542396/ citizen-times.com US 441 in Smokies, trails close for 500-acre fire December 4, 2016 The Great Smoky Mountains wildfires were the deadliest wildfires in Tennessee,Tuesday marks 1-year anniversary of deadliest wildfire in Tennessee history, WLOS, November 28, 2017 as well as the deadliest wildfires in the eastern U.S. since the Great Fires of 1947, which killed 16 people in Maine.Worst U.S. Forest Fires http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0778688.html Infoplease.com 6 December 2016Butler Joyce Parent Tom When Maine Burned: Remembering 50 Years Ago http://www.firehouse.com/article/10544832/when-maine-burned-remembering-50-years-ago Firehouse August 1997 6 December 2016 In addition, the fires were also the deadliest and most destructive of the 2016 Southeastern United States wildfires. American country singer and notable local resident Dolly Parton was among many notable figures to pitch in to assist victims.https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/05/08/520140609/dolly-parton-issues-final-checks-to-those-displaced-by-smoky-mountain-wildfire Dolly Parton Provides Fire Victims 'Shoulder To Lean On' Progression thumb|United States Drought Monitor image from November 22, 2016, showing exceptional drought across the Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee and southwest North Carolina. right vertical Chimney Tops viewed from Chimney Tops overlook, May 2017.jpg Chimney Tops, seen about 6 months after the fires with visible burn scars Chimney Tops, TN, in 2024.jpg Chimney Tops seen more than 7 years after the fires; regrowth has taken place but burn scars remain visible The Chimney Tops 2 Fire was originally reported on November 23, 2016. No suppression activities were initiated and on November 24, 2016, park fire officials delineated containment boundary made of natural features which were hoped to contain the fire. On November 27, while the fire was still inside the containment boundary, three Chinook helicopters dumped water on the fire in an effort to mitigate its spread. Humidity values for this day dropped to as low as 17 percent during a period of "Exceptional" drought. A National Weather Service report issued on Sunday predicted wind gusts up to 40 mph the following day. On November 28, park employees observed that the fire had spread to the Chimneys Picnic Area north of and outside the containment boundary. Shortly thereafter fire was reported some distance further to the North in the park behind a residential area known as Mynatt Park. Throughout the afternoon and evening of November 28, numerous fires developed in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas as a result of wind-driven sparks or downed power lines. Strong southerly winds (with wind gusts up to 87 mph) created by mountain wavesRyan Shadbolt Joseph Charney Hannah Fromm https://ams.confex.com/ams/2019Annual/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/353193 A mesoscale simulation of a mountain wave wind event associated with the Chimney Tops 2 fire (2016) American Meteorological Society 2019 Special Symposium on Mesoscale Meteorological Extremes: Understanding, Prediction, and Projection 5 ppDavid M. Gaffin On High Winds and Foehn Warming Associated with Mountain-Wave Events in the Western Foothills of the Southern Appalachian Mountains Weather and Forecasting 2009 24 1 53–75 10.1175/2008WAF2007096.1 2009WtFor..24...53G free blew sparks into the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas and knocked down trees (which in turn started fires when they hit power lines). A separate named fire destroyed much of the Cobbly Nob subdivision east of Gatlinburg.http://wildfiretoday.com/2016/12/05/analyzing-the-fire-that-burned-into-gatlinburg/ wildfiretoday.com Analyzing the fire that burned into Gatlinburg 5 December 2016 December 23, 2016 Because of power outages to some pumping stations on November 28 and because other pumping stations burned, hydrants quickly went dry on November 28, and Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller first asked for help from all of Sevier County and later from the entire state.http://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2017/02/19/firefighters-raced-gatlinburg-only-find-some-hydrants-were-running-dry/98041968/ Firefighters raced to Gatlinburg, only to find some hydrants were running dry Jacobs Don Asheville Citizen-Times February 19, 2017 March 23, 2017 Damage from the fires also prevented firefighters from communicating with each other through cell phones as the radio system became overloaded. Gatlinburg's emergency operations center phone system went down when it lost power. Even the 911 system could not handle all the calls it received, and calls intended for Sevier County went to Putnam County instead.http://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2017/08/09/gatlinburg-wildfire-records-tell-story-chaos-confusion/548412001/ Gatlinburg wildfire records tell story of chaos, confusion Lakin Matt Jacobs Don Asheville Citizen-Times August 9, 2017 August 10, 2017 Investigation and arrests Two unnamed juveniles were initially charged with aggravated arson in connection to the fires; these were dropped due to lack of evidence and an agreement between the State of Tennessee and the Department of the Interior which excluded state jurisdiction from prosecuting criminal activities that occur entirely within the park.du Lac Josh Freedom Larimer Sarah Bever Lindsey December 8, 2016 Two juveniles charged with arson in Tennessee wildfires that left 14 people dead https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/12/07/two-juveniles-charged-with-arson-in-deadly-east-tennessee-wildfires/ The Washington PostSatterfield Jamie June 30, 2017 Attorney: Arson charges against teens in fatal Gatlinburg wildfire dropped http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/tennessee/gatlinburg/2017/06/30/attorney-arson-charges-against-teens-fatal-gatlinburg-wildfire-dropped/442706001/ June 30, 2017 The Knoxville News Sentinel Throughout the course of the investigation which revealed that many of the area fires were likely caused by embers wind-blown from the existing larger fire, local officials declined to release any information about the fires or response, citing an erroneous interpretation of a gag order.Bjorlo Bridgette June 27, 2017 Judge issues order allowing release of some records in Gatlinburg wildfires http://wate.com/2017/06/27/judge-issues-order-allowing-release-of-some-records-in-gatlinburg-wildfires/ June 27, 2017 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. Reactions President Barack Obama ordered federal disaster relief funds to go to the hard hit area of Sevier County in response to the vast devastation. President-elect Donald Trump tweeted: "My thoughts and prayers are with the great people of Tennessee during these terrible wildfires. Stay safe!"http://www.lex18.com/story/33818397/donald-trump-tweets-about-tennessee-wildfires Donald Trump Tweets About Tennessee Wildfires 2016-12-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20161130160632/http://www.lex18.com/story/33818397/donald-trump-tweets-about-tennessee-wildfires 2016-11-30 deadhttp://fox17.com/news/local/president-elect-donald-trump-tweets-about-tn-wildfires-sends-thoughts-and-prayers President-elect Donald Trump's 'thoughts and prayers' with TN amid wildfires Kaylin Searles 29 November 2016 Governor Bill Haslam viewed the fires from above, and said it was "a little numbing" to see the extent of the damage. Noting that the region is a "special place" in Tennessee, he said "millions of families have come here and will continue to come here."http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/29/us/gatlinburg-fires/index.html Gatlinburg, TN residents escape 'firestorm' Jason Hanna Artemis Moshtaghian Madison Park Darran Simon 29 November 2016 CNN Commenting on the devastation, country music star Dolly Parton (originally from Sevierville) said she was "heartbroken". Her theme park, Dollywood (in Pigeon Forge), was largely spared from damage.Buncombe Andrew November 29, 2016 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/gatlinburg-fires-latest-tennessee-dolly-parton-resort-threat-a7445711.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/gatlinburg-fires-latest-tennessee-dolly-parton-resort-threat-a7445711.html 2022-05-01 subscription live independent.co.uk Gatlinburg fires: Dolly Parton's resort under threat as hundreds flee Tennessee wildfires | The Independent December 4, 2016 Telethons A telethon, benefiting fire victims, was held December 9, in Nashville. The event featured country music artists such as Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, John Rich, John Oates, and Kristian Bush, and Dolly Parton.http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2016/12/02/nashville-tv-station-host-star-filled-telethon-gatlinburg-victims/94807506/ Nashville TV station airing live star-filled telethon for Gatlinburg victims The Tennessean $9 million were raised.http://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/tennessee/gatlinburg/2017/05/26/6-months-after-fire-gatlinburg-area-getting-back-its-feet/335776001/ 6 months after wildfire, Gatlinburg area getting back on its feet Ahillen Steve Asheville Citizen-Times May 26, 2017 May 29, 2017 Parton hosted another telethon Tuesday, December 13, also in Nashville. All of the proceeds raised went to help those who lost their homes in the wildfires.http://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a40773/dolly-parton-telethon-tennessee-wildfires/ Dolly Parton Is Hosting a Telethon to Help Tennessee Wildfire Victims December 5, 2016 Her fund, the "My People Fund", provided $1,000 a month for six months to over 900 families affected by the wildfires, finally culminating with $5,000 to each home in the final month due to increased fundraising, for a total of $10,000 per family.https://www.bpr.org/news/2018-12-24/how-dolly-parton-gave-12-5-million-and-unprecedented-research-to-sevier-county/ 'How Dolly Parton Gave $12.5 Million And Unprecedented Research To Sevier County' Knoepp Lilly December 24, 2019 Blue Ridge Public Radio May 4, 2022https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/06/politics/fbi-dolly-parton-great-smoky-mountain-wildfires/index.html 'FBI honors Dolly Parton for work following Great Smoky Mountain wildfires' Cole Devan May 6, 2019 CNN May 4, 2022https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/05/08/520140609/dolly-parton-issues-final-checks-to-those-displaced-by-smoky-mountain-wildfire Dolly Parton Provides Fire Victims 'Shoulder To Lean On' Flanagan Andrew May 8, 2017 NPR May 4, 2022 Aftermath Soon after the fires were contained, Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Warner implored vacationers "If you really want to do something for Gatlinburg, come back and visit us."http://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/wildfire/sevier-co-officials-encouraging-visitors-if-you-want-to-help-come-visit-us/361154244 Sevier Co. officials encouraging visitors: "If you want to help, come visit us" wbir.com 2017-12-19 en-US Stefanie Benjamin, Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism at the University of Tennessee noted that despite negative press from the fire, the region "was able to recuperate fairly quickly."https://www.cabinsusa.com/smoky-mountains-blog/post/287/one-year-after-the-2016-wildfires.php Looking Back 1 Year After the Gatlinburg Wildfires Cabins USA Pigeon Forge Cabins in the Smoky Mountains 2017-12-19 en The impact of the "My People Fund"'s financial relief, as well as the overall impacts of the disaster on residents, was studied by University of Tennessee College of Social Work professor Stacia West, who examined the impact of cash transfers in poverty alleviation.https://www.utdailybeacon.com/campus_news/campus_life/social-worker-faculty-member-looks-to-alleviate-poverty-through-studies-community-work/article_fbda20d4-361d-11e9-8abb-cfb6ac6a09c6.html 'Social worker, faculty member looks to alleviate poverty through studies, community work' Trieu Cat February 21, 2019 The UT Beacon May 4, 2022 June 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220617134305/https://www.utdailybeacon.com/campus_news/campus_life/social-worker-faculty-member-looks-to-alleviate-poverty-through-studies-community-work/article_fbda20d4-361d-11e9-8abb-cfb6ac6a09c6.html dead West surveyed 100 recipients of the emergency relief funds in April 2017 on topics including questions on housing, financial impact, physical and emotional health, and sources of support, with a follow-up survey conducted in December 2017. West found that the "My People Fund," in tandem with traditional disaster response, gave families the ability to make decisions that were most beneficial to them, and concluded that unconditional cash support may be more beneficial for disaster relief than conditional financial support.https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/wildfire/ut-professor-studying-financial-emotional-impact-of-my-people-fund/51-492408908 UT professor studying financial, emotional impact of 'My People Fund' WBIR November 27, 2017 WBIR May 4, 2022 The report cited the impact of the monthly financial disbursements from the "My People Fund" on residents' emergency savings: "Following the monthly disbursements of unconditional cash assistance, participants were able to return to baseline financial stability reported prior to the wildfire, and improve their ability to set aside savings for hypothetical future emergencies."https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2018/04/19/ut-report-gatlinburg-wildfire-survivors-dolly-parton-my-people-fund/532618002/ 'Gatlinburg wildfire survivors found cash most helpful for recovery, says UT report' Nelson Kristi L April 19, 2018 Knox News May 4, 2022 On May 24, 2018, a federal lawsuit was filed against the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on behalf of victims seeking damages for the failure to stop the Chimney Tops 2 fire before it left the park.https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/tennessee/gatlinburg/2018/05/24/lawsuit-filed-gatlinburg-fire-victims-seeks-class-action-relief/634903002/ Lawsuit seeks millions in damages for Michael Reed, other Gatlinburg fire victims Lakin Matt Knoxville News Sentinel 2018-05-24 2018-06-14 U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer ruled September 8, 2020 that the National Park Service failed in its efforts to warn people in the area about the fires, meaning the park service can be held financially responsible and making a jury trial possible.https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2020/09/09/national-park-service-failed-warn-gatlinburg-wildfires-judge-rules/5752222002/ National Park Service failed to warn residents in deadly Gatlinburg wildfires, judge rules Satterfield Jamie Knoxville News Sentinel 2020-09-09 2020-09-11 Greer dismissed the suit in 2022 over "a paperwork error" but was overruled by an appellate panel in August 2023. The discovery process comes next and both sides have the opportunity for summary judgment.https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2023/08/17/victims-of-2016-gatlinburg-wildfire-score-big-win-in-park-service-lawsuit/69857884007/ Victims of 2016 Gatlinburg wildfire score major victory in lawsuit against Park Service Whetstone Tyler Knox News 2023-08-17 2023-08-18 See also 2016 Southeastern United States wildfires Appalachian-Blue Ridge forests Burned area emergency response English Mountain, also in the Great Smoky Mountains and scene of significant wildfires in April 2016 November 2016 Israel fires Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest References 30em Category:2010s mass murders in the United States Category:2016 in Tennessee Category:2016 murders in the United States Category:2016 wildfires in the United States Category:Arson in Tennessee Category:December 2016 crimes in the United States Category:East Tennessee Category:Gatlinburg, Tennessee Category:Great Smoky Mountains Category:Great Smoky Mountains National Park Category:2016 mass murders Category:Natural disasters in Tennessee Category:November 2016 crimes in the United States Category:Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Category:Sevier County, Tennessee Category:Wildfires caused by arson Category:Arson in 2016 Category:Murder in Tennessee