Chimney Tops Fire Gatlinburg

Before it was brought under control the fire killed 14 people injured more than 176 people and damaged or destroyed at least 2460 structures at a cost of more than 500 million.

Chimney tops fire gatlinburg.

One of the largest wildfires was the chimney tops 2 fire which burned more than 10 000 acres and closed the chimney tops trail. The fire began on the remote chimney tops peaks inside the great smoky mountains national park on nov. Gatlinburg and sevier county burned the night of nov. Br well off the beaten path the witch tour gives visitors an opportunity to truly experience tennessee as it was created wild and rugged br don t forget.

On wednesday november 23 2016. From chimney tops the fire raced north passing around the edges of downtown gatlinburg and reaching the outskirts of pigeon forge. The trail gains 1 400 feet in 2 miles which makes for a steep climb so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water. As far as we know this is the first publicly available map of the chimney tops 2 fire that burned from great smoky mountains national park into gatlinburg and pigeon forge tennessee.

The chimney tops trail is one of the most popular trails in great smoky mountains national park because of its length and spectacular views. The teens 15 and 17 were charged with starting the chimney tops fire which eventually spread to the smoky mountains into sevier county and gatlinburg killing 14 people injuring more than 200. Extraordinarily dry conditions combined with a wind storm with hurricane like power and a problematic fire in a hard to reach spot at the chimney tops to create hell on one of the prettiest places on god s earth. Fire summary the chimney tops 2 fire was reported in great smoky mountains national park near gatlinburg tn at approximately 5 30 p m.

Enjoy the woodland forest as you delve into the stories and lore hidden in the hills for centuries. Greg salansky the park s fire management officer. The gatlinburg fire that killed 14 people was started by two teenagers dropping lit matches onto the ground along chimney tops trail in great smoky mountain national park sources close to the. The great smoky mountains wildfires were the deadliest wildfires in the eastern u s.