Again, the generosity of our Pigeon Forge community and beyond is greatly appreciated. 11-26-16 dreary Gatlinburg Fire by Gary Millar, Smokies Strong telethon raises $270,000 to assist disaster relief, LIST: What's damaged, destroyed and intact, Sevier County works to begin rebuilding process; offering employment assistance, Timeline: The response before fires hit Gatlinburg, 2 Juveniles Charged With Arson, Suspected Of Starting Deadly Tennessee Wildfire, $9 million raised for Dolly Parton's 'My People Fund' so far, Confirmed victims of Smoky Mountain wildfires, Charges dropped against juveniles in Gatlinburg wildfires, Gatlinburg Mountain Tough Benefit Festival, City Of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, The Dollywood Foundation My People Fund , Sevier County Fire Relief Fund at any branch of Citizens National Bank in East Tennessee, Gatlinburg Relief Fund at any branch of SmartBank in East Tennessee. From the City of Gatlinburg, here is what you need to know: This retired the regulation that visitors must wear masks in all public areas. Large swaths of the forest that burned in November of 2016 have yet to completely heal. Authorities recovered their remains near a home not far away on Wiley Oakley Road. In actuality, the fire reached Gatlinburgs city limits in two hours. Around 6 p.m. Monday, the wind speed doubled, blowing embers from the wildfire into Gatlinburg and then surrounding areas. Please bring donations to the old Boyd's Bear facility in Pigeon Forge at 149 Cates Ln. Two juveniles charged with aggravated arson. We ended up driving in a panic but managed to got out of there by the skin of our teeth. Some of the towns most impacted were Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, both near Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At this point in time, the distribution facility is at capacity. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. It also came out that the boys didnt set the fire it was the Rangers they lost control of the situation I live in Seymour off 411 Hwy. The Chimney Tops 2 Fire was originally reported on November 23, 2016. The four days prior, the air had been full of smoke and ash, even in downtown Gatlinburg. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. All rights reserved. (Contributed photo/Tennessee State Troopers). Home Travel What Caused The Gatlinburg Fire. I wasnt there when this fire happened but I watched on tv news. Where To Hike In The Smoky Mountains Other That Gatlinburg, Quick Answer: Where Is Gatlinburg Located, Quick Answer: What Caused Notre Dame Fire. Mother and daughters had run from their home in the Chalet Village community after they watched a neighbors house burst into flame. See winners from every year of the contest. It was a sad and stressful time for East Tennessee. It was one of the largest natural disasters in the state of Tennessees history. In the dark we could see a line of headlights coming down the mountain as everyone evacuated. View of some of the burned area of the park from Carlos Campbell Overlook NPS photo by Lisa Nagurny Last updated: September 1, 2022 Was this page helpful? Theteens were arrested Wednesday but officials did not release any details other than to say they were juveniles who were residents of Tennessee but did not live in Sevier County. The very early decision by the NPS to let the fire burn itself out was one of the major contributors to the size and scale of the destruction. A full closure is necessary to allow logistical movement of trucks and paving equipment along the narrow, one-way road. A raging inferno swept through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and into the city of Gatlinburg, Tennessee on November 28, 2016, killing 14 people and injuring 190 more. I heard the guy at the front desk yelling GET OUT AND GET OUT NOW! I had already got packed up because we were checking out in the morning heading to Cherokee to check in at Harrahs. I remember texting my niece to see if he was okay and she said I was just talking to him and he saidwe have to leave and hung up. My father Myrl Carr said he didnt get a phone call or a knock on the door for a warning. I want to know if communications were so badly interrupted why did Ham-Radios not be a main communication. A crew from Samaritan's Purse assists with clean up after the 2016 Gatlinburg fire (archive photo by Dr. Candi Overholt/TheSmokies.com). Even as officials in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevier County assess the damage caused by a massive wildfire, the question of how the blaze started continues. Roger, Janet, The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. First responders reacted heroically. But we will never forget the lost lives. Shortly thereafter fire was reported some distance further to the North in the park behind a residential area known as Mynatt Park. The fire burned more than 17,000 acres of land, killed 14 people and damaged more than 2,000 buildings. There is still rebuilding going on in Cobbly Nob. The high wind gusts up to 87 mph, in addition to creating a firestorm, knocked down power lines and created new fires. Both face charges of aggravated arson but prosecutors said they would not rule out other charges or options, including seeking to have the suspects tried as adults. Thank you Smoky Mtns for being the strong, resilient community you are. The smoke is what will kill you. Published: ; Dec. 08, 2016, 12:05 p.m. However, under Tennessee law, aggravated arson is not a qualifying offense that would allow a judge to transfer the 15-year-old to adult Criminal Court. Her My People Fund promised each family which had lost its primary residence in the fires $1,000 a month for the next five months. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. A separate named fire destroyed much of the Cobbly Nob subdivision east of Gatlinburg. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. thesmokies.com. That persons attempt to keep the public notified through traditional means was severely hampered by power outages from the fire and storm. Here's the Real Story. The video is of them leaving. What Caused the Gatlinburg Fire of 2016? Some of the towns most impacted were Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, both near Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Did Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg burn down? Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Police have not said if they have a suspect related to the Chimney Tops fire. The report said the. However, it was no normal fire. By Editorial, 2023-01-25. [42] U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer ruled September 8, 2020 that the lawsuit against the United States could go forward on a claim of failure to warn under the Federal Tort Claims Act before a judge. Mother and daughters had run from their home in the Chalet Village community after they watched a neighbors house burst into flame. The City of Gatlinburg did not, at that time, employ a full-time information officer nor have a crisis communication plan. To learn more about how you can volunteer your time, visit VolunteereTN.org. Evacuations were called. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The cause of the fire is still undetermined and under investigation. Another smaller fire sparked near Seymour on Thursday but was 60% contained of Sunday afternoon. Is Moonshiners Real? [22] Damage from the fires also prevented firefighters from communicating with each other through cell phones as the radio system became overloaded. The National Park Service (NPS) monitored the Chimney Tops fire. Donated food and supplies are accepted at the Pigeon Forge Distribution Center located at 149 Cates Lane. Come see us! All rights reserved (About Us). However, the company lost some cabins in the fire. 25 from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Public Affairs Office, the fires started on Chimney Tops Trail a few miles south of Gatlinburg, off U.S. 441, at approximately 5:20 p.m. on Nov. 23. The day the sky turned red and yellow, the wind howled, and almost the whole East Tennessee valley started to smell the burning I knew that the night and morning would bring massive death and destruction. [+More]. Gatlinburg, TN. This is a Very true story that I hope to never ever repeat. View the web story version of this article here. I knew something was wrong, really wrong, when the winds changed. The distribution center will remain open until demand decreases or inventory is depleted. Fires of various sizes burned all over East Tennessee. By the time local officials were informed about the true danger, the Chimney Tops 2 fire was unstoppable. Glad things are back l love it there. What Caused the Gatlinburg Fire of 2016? The newest attractions opening this year. Read Also: How Much Is Dolly Parton Worth? But the few years before the fire I remember reading reports by experts saying that the Smokey Mts. [35] U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer ruled September 8, 2020 that the lawsuit against the United States could go forward on a claim of failure to warn under the Federal Tort Claims Act before a judge., Source: Wikipedia : 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires. I too live here. Additionally, critical communications links between the City of Gatlinburg EOC and TEMA were significantly interrupted and contributed to TEMA not sending the requested IPAWS message to evacuate Gatlinburg. Explore the most visited national park in the country. It began at The Chimney Tops, where a fire had been burning for several days. Here's the Real Story - NewsBreak Years have passed, but the scars remain. Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller said firefighters were already battling a 3-acre blaze on Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park when wind speeds picked up and shifted directions. It was getting worse to breathe. Read Also: Are Gatlinburg Fires Common? It was listed as approximately 3 acres burning at the summit on the trail. More than 50 Dollywood employees worked with firefighters Monday night and Tuesday morning to protect Partons namesake theme park from fires that burned close to the property, including on Upper Middle Creek Ridge behind the parks south side, Owen said. [21], 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. I mean, really? It was shocking and upsetting. Crews set a 400-acre containment area in which the fire would be allowed to burn and planned to let the fire burn itself out. "If one of our first responders is injured badly or is God forbid killed fighting these wildfires, I can promise you the full weight of state government will come down upon you," David Purkey, Tennessee Commissioner of Safety and Homeland Security, said at the time. what caused the fire in gatlinburg in 2016. funeral speech for grandpa from granddaughter / fish for pond stocking near me / what caused the fire in gatlinburg in 2016. what caused the fire in gatlinburg in 2016. President-elect Donald Trump tweeted: "My thoughts and prayers are with the great people of Tennessee during these terrible wildfires. The national park is now closed indefinitely due to the fire. We call our parents and told them , we loved them as we didnt know how it was going to end. The humidity values for the area on Sunday, November 26 dropped to an exceptionally low 17%, and the national weather service warned to expect 40 mph winds the following day. February 2021: new growth on Baskins Creek Trail, November 2020: burnt trees on Bullhead Trail, November 2020: new growth appearing on Bullhead Trail. It was so many fires because of drought. What started the fire in Gatlinburg Tennessee 2022? What caused the devastating fire that November night? According to an independent report by the ABS group, as late as 4:30 pm on the 28th, models provided by the Pigeon Forge Fire Department indicated it would take 19 hours for the fire to reach the city limits. The fire department was there quickly. Those boys who started the fires should have been sent to adult prison for the lives they took by starting those fires.but, I guess when your daddy sucks up to certain people and does certain things you can get away with anything. The whole family should be in prison. Contact: Trish McGee for the City of Pigeon Forge: (865)-654-6242. We are overwhelmed by the generosity that has been shown. As many as 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg and city officials said they do not know when they will be allowed back in. Five days later, winds of nearly 90 mph inexplicably whipped up, spreading deadly flames into Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. I am so disappointed in the way this was handled. Volunteer Firefighters from Kentucky were being sent down to the Smokies, and many fires in Kentucky had to be fought by single departments, and even if they werent NEARLY as bad as Gatlinburg, its still amazing that they managed to fight the fires there too. If prosecutors seek felony murder charges against the two, the 15-year-old could be tried as an adult. And knew the Reeds met them a week before the horrible fire and it broke my heart The town takes the first part of its name from the Little Pigeon River, and the river takes its name from passenger pigeons. I happened to stumble across this video, and it brought back memories. On our way there we were re routed in NC. We were in Chalet Village when the area was engulfed in flame and smoke. The problems manifested themselves in a myriad of ways. Some busy signals occurred due to the abundance of radio traffic and the lack of available radio frequencies. Tears flowed as we watched it unfold on the news. Artists confirmed for Mountain Tough include the Zac Brown Band. With roughly 1,600 bears in the national park (around two bears per square mile), there are lots of opportunities for seeing these popular Smoky Mountain residents. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. And yes, I like most other do believe those kids did start this fire and they should of been [accountable] for it but if itd not been for their daddy knowing the right person! Subscribeto ournewsletterand we will instantly deliver the best area discounts to your inbox. All of 3 of these decisions were made by the NPS in the midst of the worst drought in 100 years. [Click to show containment area map], Monday, November 28: the day the area had wind gusts of 40 mph, the fire exploded. The Reason Shes Not a Billionaire. Just after the fire, 31 miles of hiking trails were closed indefinitely due to fire or wind damage. The unholy concoction of conditions created a perfect storm. For additional information, please call 866-586-4483. Park officials said the Chimney Tops fire was not a natural occurrence. Severe wind gusts of over 80 mph, unprecedented low relative humidity, and extended drought conditions caused the fire burning in the National Park to spread rapidly and unpredictably, in spite of suppression . We were supposed to be there that weekend but went the weekend before. The creation of the Mountain Tough organization would provide ongoing support for those affected over the next three years. Most everything above the color line was burned. Jellico was burning at the time as well, so, yeah, I got a high quality picture of that. Authorities would later announce. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. He almost lost his life in that fire. A lot of my life was spent in the Smokey Mountains. The whole mountain across the river was on fire. 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. Im curious to know if the NPS was sued by the families who lost loved ones and the businesses who suffered damage or loss. Winds gusting over 60 miles per hour fanned the flames and pushed the fire into Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the surrounding areas. We were lucky everyone still had their health. Heres What You Should Know, 29 Best Restaurants in Pigeon Forge, Ranked [2023], Great Smoky Mountains National Park Entrance Fees, What You Should Know, Smoky Mountains in March: Events in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge [2023], A Simple Guide to Smoky Mountain Parking Passes, Park it Forward. The law does allow for the 17-year-old to be tried as an adult if a Juvenile Court judge grants the transfer. The fire started on November 23rd in the Great Smoky Mountains. [33] 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. Still, officials were in communication with the NPS. . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 2016 GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) - On Nov. 23, 2016, the day before Thanksgiving, a fire began on the Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Dolly Partons famous Dollywood theme park near the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee was closed Tuesday as a wildfire ravaged the area and made its way seriously close to the parks border. Fire erupts on both side of Highway 441 between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. The KNP Complex Fire that devastated Sequoia National Park and surrounding lands in September-October 2021 had much in common with the Gatlinburg disasterchief among the commonalities is Superintendant Clay Jordan. I havent lived in Tennessee in the past nine years, but its my home state, so I was definitely scarred and heartbroken when this whole event happened. Communications within the EOC, although at times noisy and extremely busy due to the scope and scale of the Chimney Tops 2 firestorm, remained fluid and effective based on the information being received. "We are experiencing extremely dry conditions throughout the park and we are asking for the public's help to prevent uncontrolled wildfires," Chief Ranger Steve Kloster said at the time. So I wasnt surprised by the fire itself. After watching his video I almost feel like I had PTSD, but it gives me more perspective on how lucky we were. Yesm I remember it and I remember the pain I felt and the tears also! Absolutely. The region was in the midst of an exceptional drought. Two juveniles charged with aggravated arson. In Gatlinburg, smoke and fire caused the mandatory evacuation of downtown and surrounding areas, according . Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller said firefighters were already battling a 3-acre blaze on Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park when wind speeds picked up and shifted. It is a blessing to us to pay this forward by establishing a distribution center to serve all of our Sevier County neighbors and visitors who have been affected by recent wildfires. All of the proceeds raised went to help those who lost their homes in the wildfires. All of the golf courses in Sevier County had allowed their grass to turn brown because of the expense to continue to water it: thats the type of drought. Those boys still started the initial fire. KNOXVILLE, TENN (WLOS) A year and a half after the deadly Gatlinburg fires, one victim is now suing for negligence. Did Cades Cove burn in . A lack of early notice was the most critical failure of all.. Then around December, I went down to Tennessee with my parents and a sister, and I could see fire just about everywhere. To make a $10 donation, text the word REDCROSS to 90999. Them all brush fire caused a lifetime of pain for some including death. Her theme park, Dollywood (in Pigeon Forge), was largely spared from damage. "[29], Commenting on the devastation, country music star Dolly Parton (originally from Sevierville) said she was "heartbroken". Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. It was creepy, and I also saw several beat-up looking cars with flaming tires. An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. See more from this location? It affected an estimated 2,400 buildings. Downtown Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community were unaffected by the fires, so visitors should expect to be able to enjoy some time of their vacations in Gatlinburg starting Friday. Under non-drought conditions, at least some experts had been warning officials that not allowing smaller fires to burn up fuel on the forest floor would lead to worse wildfires in the future. KNOXVILLE Prosecutors have dropped charges against two Tennessee teenagers they labeled as responsible for the states deadliest wildfire in a century, an attorney confirmed Friday. Make sure to get full face because that smoke will have your eyes burning and without eyesight your chances of making it out go down drastically. Birds, Deer, etc. First of all, radio communications overloaded the Sevier County radio system at times. 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, created hell on one of the prettiest places on Gods Earth. If youre planning a great date night dinner or just want to grab a bite at one of the best steakhouses, Gatlinburg makes a better option for high-end food. Damage caused by the fires is estimated at over $500 million. [Click to show containment area map], The initially established containment zone for the fire around the Chimneys, Thursday, November 24: the fire's current range within the containment area, Saturday, November 26: the fire had spread but still remained within the containment area. 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 Gods Earth. GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) - On Nov. 23, 2016, the day before Thanksgiving, a fire began on the Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. . Ultimately, hurricane-force winds blew embers from the park into Gatlinburg and the gusts downed power lines, sparking more fires. In recent weeks, fire investigators have arrested seven suspects in connection to wildfires set in the state and Homeland Security officials have pledged to use the full force of the law against anyone found guilty of setting a fire. [23], Two unnamed juveniles were initially charged with aggravated arson in connection to the fires; however, charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence as well as language in an agreement between the State of Tennessee and the Department of the Interior which excluded state jurisdiction from prosecuting criminal activities that occurred entirely within the park. We continue to come to Gatlinburg frequently. This week, he filed a lawsuit claiming the National Park Service was negligent in its efforts to contain the blaze. The pledge to fund it would be at least $3 million. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel,the two boys are friends and live in Anderson County, Tennessee. By Editorial, 2023-01-25. THE BEST WAY YOU CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT: You can help us most by visiting with us! I would recommend people living in areas with any chance of wildfire to invest in a quality full face respirator that will filter smoke and fine particles. A detention hearing set for the two boys for Friday was postponed and both are still being held in the county juvenile detention center. Dollywood, located in Pigeon Forge, was unscathed. Crushed when l saw and heard of so much damage. (WVLT) On Nov. 23, 2016, the day before Thanksgiving, a fire began on the Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We were in the Cobbly Nob section of Gatliburg decorating our rental cabin for Christmas. Gatlinburg and Sevier County burned the night of Nov. 28, 2016. Thanks to the Newsteam at WBIR TV for posting all the coverage they did. My heart broke for the people there. Note: This post was originally used to update the community as the events of the Gatlinburg fire 2016 took place. No I was still grieving the loss of my husband when this tragic fire exploded. I was raised on Baskins Creek Road and am very disappointed at the way everything was organized. Simply watching the video is harrowing. Especially saddened by loss of life. "[37], 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. I cant imagine living it. The following is the remainder of that original content. The 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires, also known as the Gatlinburg wildfires,[1] were a complex of wildfires which began in late November 2016. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The common assumption among long tome Smokey Mt. We were aware that there was a fire burning on Rocky Top. A hiker reportedly captured an image of the boys walking away from the trail with smoke in the background and the clothing pictured in the photo was used to help identify the suspects. Once through that spot there were several trees that they had cut so we had to go really slow all the way to 40. Many of you continue to ask about making financial/cash contributions to help our displaced families thank you so very much! What caused Gatlinburg fire 2016? What happened to boys who started Gatlinburg fire? The wildfire caught local and federal park officials unprepared. National Guard crews from Chattanooga were called in, and three Chinook helicopters began dumping gallons of water from Pigeon River's West Prong on top of the fire. And tourist and Residents of this Parish. Our family was in the fire. In 30+ years of visiting and investing in Gatlinburg, I had never seen brown golf courses. The Gatlinburg Fire Chief, in court documents obtained by WBIR, laid much of the blame on the NPS. Between Thursday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25 National Park Service crews "identified and worked to establish a containment area lower down on the mountain where there was a higher chance of success to stop the fire" (NPS) until the weather took a turn for the worse the following Sunday. 321 was stalled for over an hour while they cleared a firetruck with a downed tree on it. Dolly Parton is heartbroken by the news. Among the debris included Alamo Steakhouse (which has since been rebuilt), Highland Condominiums, Hughes Hall and Wild Wing at Arrowmont, Buckberry Lodge, about 70 homes in the Cobbly Knob area, 31 homes within the Condo Villas of Gatlinburg Association, Cupid's Chapel of Love, several Dollywood cabins, The Mountain Lodge restaurant, homes at Tree Tops Resort, around 70 homes in Wears Valley, and many cabins at Westgate Resort. (CNN) Dollywood is temporarily closing its drop tower attraction after a boy fell to his death from a similar type of ride by the same manufacturer at a park in Orlando, a spokesman for Dolly Partons Tennessee theme park said. This allowed me to reach some kind of closure. Anyone still wishing to help the folks in Sevier County affected by this weeks wildfires, please consider making a monetary donation to one of these three organizations: If you already have collected donations, please schedule delivery by calling 865-804-1658; deliveries of water can be scheduled at 865-368-9013. (WVLT) On Nov. 23, 2016, the day before Thanksgiving, a fire began on the Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Defense . We have spent so much time up there growing up and more recently we would spend Halloween weekends in a chalet with a HUGE batch of family. Also, communications were hampered due to the fire intensity and high winds. We could see the chair lift chairs hanging right above the fire. be safe everyone. Pigeon Forge residents were allowed to return today. Dry conditions, wind and a hard-to-reach fire created hell on earth in 2016, The fires caught local and federal officials unprepared, Two boys were arrested, but charges against them were later dropped, Investigators determined that wind and other factors contributed to the tragedy, And the lack of an early notice was the most critical failure of all, Read the full story about the Gatlinburg firesand how Dolly Parton helped those affected. While we do our best to bring you the most up-to-date information, TheSmokies.com LLC makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content contained within. Gatlinburg tends to offer more higher end restaurants. Winds were so strong we could barely talk to each other. Then we lost power and evacuated. We were deeply saddened to hear of the heartbreaking accident at ICON Park in Orlando, Fla. What happened to the Gatlinburg arsonists? However, the speed at which it spread and the damage to human and animal life was shocking. My husband and I were on vacation. 2016 Great Smoky Mountains Wildfires Deaths 14 Non-fatal injuries Unknown Perpetrator(s) Two juveniles charged with aggravated arson. The European settlers found fire to be useful for clearing new ground for cultivation. It was deserted. detailed cleanings to ever get the fire smell out of the vehicle. Then, the following day, with high winds in the forecast and a 40 acre fire, they doubled-down on that terrible decision. We saw a disabled car that wasnt so lucky and I got out of the car and was able to get them safely to our vehicle and out of there, and let them use one of the respirators. 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. Alamo Steakhouse on East Parkway. The night of the Gatlinburg fire the entire view of Bluff Mountain was lit up by the fire.