During the Smoky Mountain Fire of November, 2016 we created this post to record the events as they happened by curating the numerous social media posts as they poured in through facebook, twitter, and instagram. A fire that started out small on the Chimney Tops Trail was dramatically fueled by low humidity and high winds throughout the day on Monday, November 28, 2016. Wind gusts were recorded up to 80mph, which cause trees to knock down power lines around Gatlinburg, which sparked separate, non-related fires.
The events recorded below are in reverse-chronological order, so the newest updates are here at the top. If you want to see the events as they happened, start at the bottom of this post and scroll up.
Also, multiple area relief funds and donation centers have been setup to help those in need. If you would like to donate, visit our “How to Help” page to see numerous local options.
UPDATE 12/3 –
Property and business owners are being allowed daily into the city between 10am – 5pm. During that time, we were able to do a live video while driving through downtown to show the condition of all of the businesses. What you will notice is that they all appear to be in great shape! Check out the video below to see downtown Gatlinburg for yourself. The business owners are eager to get opened back up as soon as possible to welcome you back to this wonderful town!
UPDATE 11/30 – Updates From the Official Press Conference
- Over 15,000 acres burned in the Smoky Mountains National Park
- 700+ Structures damaged or destroyed in Sevier County
- Only 1 active structure fire as of 4pm…all other fires in the city of Gatlinburg have been contained
- The National Park Service has setup an official facebook page with information regarding the fires
- At the 11am press conference on December 1st, the City of Gatlinburg expects to announce a date/time when roads will be reopened to allow people back into the city.
UPDATE 11/29 – Downtown Gatlinburg is NOT “Destroyed”!
Contrary to numerous reports, downtown Gatlinburg has NOT burnt down (video proof below). We’re still here. We still have businesses. We still love the Smokies just as much as you. We’re doing everything we can to get opened back up for you!
We owe an incredible amount of gratitude to the firefighters, first responders, volunteers etc that have been fighting every minute to protect everything you love about Gatlinburg and the Smokies. This fire will be recorded in history books, but the bravery, heart, faith, resiliency, and strength of the men and women who stood up to it throughout the night will forever be planted deep in the roots of our restoration.
Below is EVERY business we have confirmation of either “damaged/destroyed” or “still standing”. Notice there are many more businesses still standing than there are damaged/destroyed. We continue to get reports of businesses reporting they are ok and we will update this list as we verify/confirm each and every one.
Confirmed Damaged or Destroyed
Lodging
Westgate Resort (Extensive damage…not destroyed via their facebook page )
Numerous properties on Ski Mountain (via photos and videos pouring in)
Approx. 70 homes in Wears Valley area
Approx. 70 homes in Cobbly Knob/Pittman Center area
Highlands Condos (destroyed…confirmed via aerial footage)
The Lodge at Buckberry Creek (aerial footage shows all but 1 building destroyed)
Eight Gables Inn ( via their facebook page )
Restaurants
Mountain Lodge ( via their facebook page )
Alamo Steakhouse ( via their facebook page )
Attractions
Mysterious Mansion (initially reported destroyed via their facebook page , but later they posted it actually may be standing)
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts: Only 2 building (Hughes Hall and Wild Wing) were destroyed. The other buildings still stand. (via Arrowmont Executive Director Bill May)
Gatlinburg Sky Lift (Buildings on top of the mountain are destroyed – confirmed via aerial footage)
Confirmed as still standing
Pretty much everything along the Parkway downtown including restaurants, attractions, moonshine distilleries, lodging, etc.
Lodging
Black Bear Falls Resort (via video)
DreamMore Resort (via the Fire Chief)
Mt Leconte Lodge (via Park Ranger)
River Terrace ( via their facebook page …may have damage. They are assessing and will be closed through Sunday Dec 4)
Greystone Lodge ( via WATE6 video )
Laurel Springs Lodge Bed & Breakfast ( via their facebook page )
Sidney James Mountain Lodge ( via their facebook page )
Park Vista (via photos and videos…damage being assessed)
Olde Gatlinburg Condos (via local resource who drove by and reported)
Baskins Creek Condos ( via their facebook page )
Brookside Resort ( via their facebook page )
Jack Huff’s Motor Lodge ( via their facebook page )
Bearskin Lodge on the River ( via their facebook page )
The Historic Gatlinburg Inn ( via their facebook page )
Zoder’s Inn & Suites ( via their facebook page )
Gillette Motel ( via their facebook page )
Clarion Inn & Suites ( via their facebook page )
Restaurants
Peddler Steakhouse ( via their facebook page )
The Park Grill ( via their facebook page )
No Way Jose’s ( via WATE6 video )
Log Cabin Pancake House ( via their facebook page )
Cherokee Grill ( via their facebook page )
Smoky Mountain Brewery ( via their facebook page )
Calhoun’s ( via their facebook page )
Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que, Maddog’s, and Big Daddy’s Pizza ( via their facebook page )
Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar ( via their facebook page )
The Fox and Parrot Tavern ( via their facebook page )
Delauder’s Smoky Mountain BBQ ( via their facebook page )
Attractions
Ober Mountain ( via their facebook page )
Hillbilly Golf (via the owners)
Ripley’s Aquarium ( via their facebook page )
Dollywood ( via their facebook page )
Gatlinburg Space Needle (via numerous photos and videos)
Ole Smoky Moonshine (via numerous photos and videos of downtown)
Sugarlands Distilling Company ( via their facebook page )
Arts & Craft Community down Glades Road (via city officials during 11pm press conference on 11/29)
Mountain Mall (via video from downtown today)
Christ in the Smokies (via their facebook page)
Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre ( via their facebook page )
Schools
Elkmont (via Park Ranger)
Gatlinburg Pittman
Pi Beta Phi (via the Fire Chief)
UPDATE 11/29 – Photos and Video as Sunlight Reveals the Impact
Video: A look at the devastation on roadway up to Ober Gatlinburg. If you can, please give to the Red Cross or local support agencies. pic.twitter.com/3hvfpwzuWr
— Mark Nagi (@MarkNagiTDOT) November 29, 2016
UPDATE 11:30am 11/29 – City Officials Give Press Conference
City officials provided a press conference at 11am to give updates. We’ve highlighted what we heard below. The next press conference is at 4pm. We’ll post more “official” updates as we hear them…there are so many conflicting reports going around and being exaggerated and we are trying to only post what is confirmed & verified.
Per Gatlinburg’s Mayor and Fire Chief and TEMA (Tennessee Emergency Management Agency):
No reported fatalities as of 11am. 12 individuals have been transported to medical facilities with “non life-threatening” issues.
Downtown Gatlinburg “remains largely intact”
14 active structure fires as of 11am
150 structures damaged and destroyed so far which includes the following…these are only what we have heard confirmations of so far…there MAY be more, but we’re only posted what has been confirmed by city officials:
Confirmed Damaged or Destroyed
Lodging
Black Bear Falls Resort (TEMA reported this…but hearing conflicting reports)
Westgate Resort (Extensive damage…not destroyed via their facebook page )
Numerous properties on Ski Mountain (via photos and videos pouring in)
Approx. 70 homes in Wears Valley area
Approx. 70 homes in Cobbly Knob/Pittman Center area
Highlands Condos (destroyed…confirmed via aerial footage)
Restaurants destroyed
Mountain Lodge ( via their facebook page )
Alamo Steakhouse ( via their facebook page )
Attractions destroyed
Mysterious Mansion (initially reported destroyed via their facebook page , but later they posted it actually may be standing)
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts: Only 2 building (Hughes Hall and Wild Wing) were destroyed. The other buildings still stand. ( via Arrowmont Executive Director Bill May )
Confirmed as still standing
Pretty much everything along the Parkway downtown including restaurants, attractions, moonshine distilleries, lodging, etc.
Lodging
DreamMore Resort (via the Fire Chief)
Mt Leconte Lodge (via Park Ranger)
River Terrace ( via their facebook page …may have damage. They are assessing and will be closed through Sunday Dec 4)
Greystone Lodge ( via WATE6 video )
Laurel Springs Lodge Bed & Breakfast ( via their facebook page )
Sidney James Mountain Lodge ( via their facebook page )
Park Vista (via photos and videos…damage being assessed)
Olde Gatlinburg Condos (via local resource who drove by and reported)
Baskins Creek Condos ( via their facebook page )
Brookside Resort ( via their facebook page )
Restaurants
Peddler Steakhouse ( via their facebook page )
No Way Jose’s ( via WATE6 video )
Log Cabin Pancake House ( via their facebook page )
Attractions
Ober Mountain ( via their facebook page )
Hillbilly Golf (via the owners)
Ripley’s Aquarium ( via their facebook page )
Dollywood ( via their facebook page )
Gatlinburg Space Needle (via numerous photos and videos)
Ole Smoky Moonshine (via numerous photos and videos of downtown)
Doc Collier Moonshine (via their facebook page)
Sugarlands Distilling Company ( via their facebook page )
Schools
Elkmont (via Park Ranger)
Gatlinburg Pittman
Pi Beta Phi (via the Fire Chief)
UPDATE Photos from overnight 11/28 into early morning 11/29
UPDATE 9:41pm 11/28 – Going Offline
I’ve lost power and am going offline…prayers up and I will update when I can.
UPDATE 9:19pm 11/28 – Fire in Wears Valley
A fire has popped up in the Little Cove area past Valley View Baptist Church in Wears Valley.
UPDATE 8:43pm 11/28 – Fire at Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg and 13 other Structures
Visitors at Park Vista in Gatlinburg are posting the following photos and videos…
14 structure fires now in Gatlinburg. @KyleGrainger confirms a fire at the Park Vista hotel. Downtown Gatlinburg evacuated @wvlt
— Ted Hall (@tedhallnews) November 29, 2016
#Gatlinburg park vista Hilton hotel pic.twitter.com/MN2CaLNYDF
— ローガン Logan (@Redwolfstone123) November 28, 2016
UPDATE 8:28pm 11/28 – National Park Service and Gatlinburg Fire Department Provide Update
UPDATE 8:31pm 11/28 – Pigeon Forge Evacuations Begin
Pigeon Forge officials have begun evacuating people south of traffic light #8 (Dollywood Lane).
UPDATE 8:23pm 11/28 – Pigeon Forge Parkway Closed at Dollywood Lane
Pigeon Forge officials have closed the southbound Parkway (heading toward Gatlinburg) at Dollywood Lane.
UPDATE 7:59pm 11/28 – Smoke Covers Pigeon Forge…Crews Responding
Smoke from the area fires has entered Pigeon Forge as crews rush up the parkway to fight numerous fires that are popping up. Our prayers continue for everyone fighting these fires…and for RAIN!
Thick smoke in Pigeon Forge. Cars backed up on the spur trying to leave Gatlinburg. Fire trucks busy @wvlt pic.twitter.com/9zVDt0dx5Y
— Ted Hall (@tedhallnews) November 29, 2016
UPDATE 7:41pm 11/28 – Officials Clear the Streets
Gatlinburg officials are requesting that people clear the streets, sidewalks, etc in downtown Gatlinburg and return to their homes/lodging. Gatlinburg has also declared an immediate mandatory evacuation of the Mynatt Park, Savage Gardens, East Foothills Road, Turkey Nest Road, Davenport and Ski Mountain areas.
The situation in Gatlinburg is intense! Phone almost flew out of my hand as I tweeted this. Several evacuated pic.twitter.com/kTre3ijeIt
— David Ball (@TheDavidBall) November 29, 2016
Winds knocking down trees and power lines sparking fires in Gatlinburg @wvlt this one looking up from Gatlinburg Inn pic.twitter.com/plaZX2NFQ5
— Ted Hall (@tedhallnews) November 29, 2016
We were leaving Gatlinburg and I decided to stop and show you guys how windy and ashy it is. Little did we know the fire was already here… pic.twitter.com/Cd3Je337aL
— Charlene Payne (@savin_livesCRT) November 29, 2016
UPDATE 7:13pm 11/28 – Fire on the Spur
Visitors are posting photos and video of fire along The Spur…The Spur is the stretch of road that connects Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. So, yes, there is now a fire directly between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Southbound traffic (going towards Gatlinburg) has been closed as flames are as close as 3 feet from the road. We need rain!
Fire near Gatlinburg. Working on location. pic.twitter.com/wMJ4JlDdJV
— Kyle Grainger WVLT (@KyleGrainger) November 29, 2016
The spur guys… pic.twitter.com/UKmd4HoXvS
— Jodie? (@Jodieee_mac00) November 28, 2016
The Spur right now… pic.twitter.com/yamxxS7mYv
— AJ Bennett (@AJBennettGP) November 28, 2016
UPDATE 7:05pm 11/28 – MORE Fires Flare Up
UPDATE 2:30pm 11/28: The National Park Service provides an update
Surrounded by wildfires #gatlinburg #easttennessee #prayforrain
A video posted by @east_tn_life on Nov 28, 2016 at 8:20am PST
Current state of affairs at the Chimney Tops… #gsmnp #greatsmokymountains #chimneytops #wildfire
A photo posted by Gringo (@tndirtbag) on Nov 28, 2016 at 6:43am PST
#gatlinburg #greatsmokeymountains #easttennessee #wildfires
A photo posted by @east_tn_life on Nov 28, 2016 at 8:30am PST
11/28 – Fire Escalates on Chimney Tops Trail
A photo posted by Chris Higgins (@chrishigginsphoto) on Nov 27, 2016 at 6:59pm PST
A fire on the Chimney Tops trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park spread overnight early Monday morning, November 28, 2016 to burn over 500 acres. Sustained winds of over 20mph have spread the fire. Smoke and ashes have blanketed downtown Gatlinburg, TN as you can see in the photos and videos below. Rain is in the forecast for Monday night, which we are extremely hopeful that it will extinguish the fires and suppress the smoke. The National Park Service has closed Newfound Gap Road (the road connecting Gatlinburg to Cherokee, NC) due to the fire and smoke.
We will update this post with more photos, videos, and information as it pours in until these fires are put out. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those helping to extinguish these fires in the Smokies.
Newfound Gap Road, Cherokee Orchard Road, Elkmont Road are all closed. Trails that are closed include: Chimney Tops, Road Prong, Huskey Gap, Sugarland Mountain, Rough Creek, Little River, Cucumber Gap, Jakes Creek, Miry Ridge, Goshen Prong, Old Sugarlands, Bullhead, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Brushy Mountain, Trillium Gap, Baskins Creek, Porters Creek and Grapeyard Ridge. The campsites that are closed, include: 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, Mt. Le Conte shelter and Mt. Collins shelter.
Twin Creeks Science Center has been evacuated.
