Last week, multiple fires were reported throughout the Smokies. Areas affected included Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
While most of these fires have since been either extinguished or largely contained, fire danger – due to dry conditions and increased winds – remains extremely high.
No burn permits have been issued throughout the region. Locals and visitors alike are being asked to refrain from any open burning as the increased winds could cause even a small fire to grow out of control quickly.
Details about last week’s fires can be found below.
1. The Wears Valley fire in East TN
2,498 acre Wears Valley fire at 100% containment
Last Update: April 6, 2022 6:12 pm
Sevier County officials are now saying that the Wears Valley fire (also referred to as the “Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire”) is now 100% contained.
Original affected acreage projections were also reduced from over 3,700 to 2,498 burned with approximately 219 structures impacted.
On Wednesday morning, March 30, 2022, officials with the Sevier County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) reported a fire near Hatcher Mountain Road and Indigo Lane in the Wears Valley community.
What started out as a brushfire was quickly upgraded to a forest fire after multiple structure fires were reported in the area.
By 9 pm later that night, The Tennessee Department of Agriculture reported that the fire had grown to encompass 1,000 acres.
The video below was shot in the Walden’s Ridge area of Walden’s Creek overnight by local firefighter Tom Lucas. Lucas works for the Sevierville Fire Department but was volunteering for the Waldens Creek Volunteer Fire Department when he captured the footage.
Evacuations were ordered for the affected areas. Those evacuation areas grew overnight as crews continued to battle flames.
The following morning, Thursday, March 31, Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters held a press conference during which he reported that the fire had grown to 3,700 acres.
By 5:30 pm, the Sevier County EMA reported that the fire remained at 3,700 acres in size at a 30% containment. The burn acreage was later reduced to 2,498.
At the time of this writing, the fire is now reportedly 100% contained.
2. The Dupont fire in Seymour, TN (Millstone Gap Rd)
Dupont fire covers 959 acres at 100% containment
Last Update: April 7, 2022 4:38 pm
Last week, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture reported that crews were working on a fire off of Millstone Gap Road near the Blount County/Sevier County line.
Sevier County officials say that the fire was mostly located in a remote area near the county line.
The burn radius spanned nearly 959 acres and the fire, at the time of this writing, is 100% contained.
Two structures were affected.
3. The Thomas Divide Complex fires in NC
Thomas Divide fires cover 941 acres at 80% containment
Last Update: April 1, 2022 2:00 pm
Additionally, firefighters, as well as multiple agencies, are working together to extinguish the Thomas Divide Complex fire in North Carolina that broke out on Saturday, March 26. The fire is located east of Bryson City, North Carolina.
A Unified Command Center is coordinating suppression efforts.
A press release issued on March 29 from the National Park Service stated the complex was comprised of two wildfires. These include the Stone Pile fire and the Cooper Creek fire.
On March 31, park officials reported that the fire had affected approximately 941 acres and was 80% contained.
The Southern Area Gold Incident Management Team has demobilized and several team members are now assisting with fire suppression efforts in Sevier County, along with several National Park Service staff. Approximately 20 firefighters remain on site to continue monitoring the area and to make any needed site repairs from fire suppression activity.
On April 1, Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials reopened all roads, trails and backcountry campsites following closures put in place earlier this week.
4. Small Gatlinburg, TN brush fire contained overnight
Fire extinguished
Last Update: April 1, 2022 2:00 pm
A brush fire, spanning approximately one acre, started shortly before midnight on March 30 due to downed power lines.
Later that same morning, The Sevier County EMA announced that the fire had been extinguished.
An emergency shelter was established at Gatlinburg American Legion Building 1222 E. Parkway in Gatlinburg but that shelter has since closed.
Are fires normal in the Smoky Mountains?
The largest fire in recent years is often referred to as the Gatlinburg fire of 2016.
Two boys were charged with aggravated arson. However, the charges were later dropped.
Read Also: The real story behind the Gatlinburg fires of 2016
More recently, last February, another wildfire with high winds broke out near the Parkside Resort in Pigeon Forge.
Early images of the flames appeared to be disastrous, but the fire proved to be much easier to tame than before. Firefighters received aid from heavy rains that eventually extinguished the flames.
Just last week, there was yet another small fire near the park headquarters building on March 24, 2022.
The fire was located between the ranger station and the park maintenance yard.
Pigeon Forge Fire Department and Gatlinburg Fire Department initially responded for fire suppression efforts, and later transitioned oversight to park fire crews. Firefighters had the fire fully contained within a short period of time.
We encourage visitors to be on high alert and watch out for current wind conditions when visiting the Smokies.
When is wildfire season in TN?
According to tn.gov, there are typically two fire seasons. The spring fire season begins in mid-February and ends in mid-May, when the forest has “greened up”.
The fall fire season begins mid-October when the leaves begin to drop and ends in mid-December.
However, it’s important to note that wildland fires can occur year-round.
What causes a wildfire?
According to the NPS, nearly 85% of wildland fires in the U.S. are caused by humans.
These can result from unattended campfires, burning of debris, equipment malfunction, discarded cigarettes or intentional acts.
Wildfires may also be caused by nature. For example, a fire can be started by an unusually long-lasting hot lightning bolt.
Controlled burns in the Smoky Mountains
Fire is one of the natural processes that some plants and animals depend on. Throughout the year, the NPS may prescribe controlled burns for small sections of the park.
These fires can help restore meadow habitats and maintain the landscape of the mountains.
Additionally, they reduce heavy accumulations of dead wood and brush. The clearing of old wood and brush helps prevent future catastrophic events.
Have you ever been affected by a wildfire in the mountains? Let us know in the comments below.