It’s been five years since the devastating Gatlinburg wildfires tore through East Tennessee, and the area is still working to recover. More than 17,000 acres were burned, hundreds of homes and businesses were destroyed, and 14 people lost their lives. The good news is that Gatlinburg is well on its way to rebuilding and there are plenty of things to do in the area if you’re planning a visit. Here’s an update on what’s been going on since the fire and what you can expect when you come to visit.
What started the Gatlinburg Fire?
The Gatlinburg Fire started on November 28, 2016, and was caused by an illegal campfire that was left unattended. The fire spread quickly and eventually burned over 17,000 acres of land. Over 2,000 structures were destroyed in the fire, including homes, businesses, and churches.
The destruction of the Gatlinburg Fire
The Gatlinburg Fire Update 2022 was a devastating event that destroyed much of the city. The fire began on November 28th, 2016, and quickly spread through the city, burning homes and businesses. It is estimated that over 2,000 buildings were destroyed in the fire. Many people were forced to evacuate their homes, and some even had to be rescued from the flames. Fortunately, there were no fatalities reported in the fire.
The aftermath of the Gatlinburg Fire
The Gatlinburg Fire was one of the most destructive wildfires in Tennessee’s history. The fire began on November 28, 2016, and quickly spread through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. By the time it was contained on December 9, the fire had burned more than 17,000 acres of land, destroyed over 2,000 structures, and killed 14 people.
In the aftermath of the fire, Gatlinburg Fire Update 2022 and the surrounding communities have been working to rebuild. More than 1,000 homes and businesses were destroyed in the fire, leaving many people without a place to live or work. The community has come together to support those who have lost everything, with many businesses and organizations donating money and supplies.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also working to recover from the damage caused by the fire. More than 100 miles of trails were damaged or destroyed in the fire, and crews are working to clear them so that hikers can enjoy the park again. In addition, wildlife biologists are monitoring how animals are faring in the aftermath of the fire and working to help any that have been affected.
While it will take years for Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to fully recover from the Gatlinburg Fire, they are well on their way thanks to the hard work of everyone involved.
How the community is rebuilding
It’s been almost a year since the devastating Gatlinburg wildfires tore through East Tennessee, leaving behind a path of destruction.
But in the months since, the community has worked tirelessly to rebuild. Businesses have reopened, homes are being rebuilt, and the landscape is slowly returning to its natural state.
While the process of rebuilding has been slow, it’s clear that the community is determined to come back stronger than ever. Here’s a look at how Gatlinburg is rebuilding one year after the fires.
Businesses Reopening:
In the months following the fires, many businesses in Gatlinburg remained closed. But now, one year later, many of those businesses have reopened their doors.
Some businesses, like Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, never closed at all during the rebuilding process. Others, like Anakeesta and Ober Gatlinburg, opened temporarily in other locations while their permanent locations were being rebuilt.
Most businesses in Gatlinburg are back up and running and welcoming visitors from all over the world.
Homes Being Rebuilt:
The process of rebuilding homes destroyed by the fire has been a slower one. But there has been progressing made in recent months as more and more families return to their properties.
For some homeowners, rebuilding has been a fairly straightforward process. But for others, it’s been a long and difficult journey marked by
What has been learned from the Gatlinburg Fire
It has been learned that the Gatlinburg Fire was started by two teenage boys who were playing with matches. The fire quickly spread out of control and ended up burning over 17,000 acres of land. Over 2,000 buildings were destroyed in the fire, including over 1,700 homes. Thankfully, there were no fatalities as a result of the fire.
Conclusion
As of right now, the latest update on the Gatlinburg fire is that it is currently 100% contained. This means that there is no longer any active burning within the fire perimeter and firefighters will continue to monitor the area for hotspots. While it is good news that the fire is now fully contained, the damage it has caused is still very much evident. Our thoughts go out to all those who have been affected by this tragedy, and we hope for a speedy recovery for Gatlinburg.