It’s lit… too lit…

It is 5PM in Gatlinburg, Tennessee on Monday, November 28 and everything is normal. Within the next hour, however, 20 buildings were burning to the ground as emergency crew members scramble to get everyone out of the city. By the time 6PM rolled around, emergency officials changed their priority from stopping the fire to evacuating the city. However, some notifications didn’t make it out until 9:30 PM, when the fire was well into the city.

An apocalyptic scene erupted out of Gatlinburg as citizens rushed to collect their valuables and get out before the fire consumed the city. Roads became packed with lines of cars loaded with priceless valuables and nervous families. Over 700 tourists from the nearby Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort and Spa fled the scene. A thick layer of smoke choked the city as fireballs were leaping across roads. Trees and power lines were collapsing resulting in explosions of sparks. Citizens recall that it was like the sun never set in Gatlinburg that night as an orange aura from the fire could be seen from miles away. As citizens scrambled to leave, emergency officials were fighting a hopeless battle.

On December 2, residents of Gatlinburg returned to a completely different city filled with rubble and ash. All that remain are the frames of cars and the foundations of buildings. A thick smoke still looms over the city but light is able to pass through. As of December 3, 13 people have been killed. 12 of the 13 deaths were directly related to the fire while the 13th victim suffered a heart attack after inhaling a heavy amount of smoke when escaping the city. At least 85 other people have been injured from the fire. Officials stated that a preliminary search is underway in 90% of the affected area; the rescue workers are praying to not find another body. While the Sevier County Wildfire continues to burn, schools in Sevier County are opening again on Monday, December 5. Gatlinburg will be open to the public again starting December 7. Fortunately, the three main tourist destinations in the county were intact and had minimal damage. Rainfall was finally seen in Gatlinburg on Wednesday, November 30, giving the people hope for the future.

While the people of Gatlinburg come home to nothing left, they are not alone. Sevier County, the county that Gatlinburg is located in, has been ravaged by the fire. The nearby city of Pigeons Forge was touched by the fire but first respondents were able to hold the fire back before it could be consumed by the flames that destroyed Gatlinburg. Over 1,000 structures have burned in the fire.

Citizens of Sevier County are also grateful, for the massive influx of support from the nation. Tennessee’s governor and two senators visited the area along with phone calls coming in from governors and public officials all across the country. Local businesses around the country are collecting donations to donate to the Red Cross for the relief effort.

What made this fire so historic was how it could have been prevented. Officials believe that the Sevier County fire was man made. They are still unsure if whether it was accidental or arson, however.

The Sevier County fire can only bring back memories of the amount of fires seen across the country in the past years. Colorado Springs has survived two in the past 5 years. The Waldo Canyon Fire, burning 18,247 acres started on June 23, 2012, in Rampart Valley. The Waldo Canyon Fire burned through Mountain Shadows and northwestern Colorado Springs. 346 buildings were destroyed and 2 people died. Many students from Air Academy were affected by the fire. Almost a year after the Waldo Canyon Fire, the Black Forest Fire erupted on the northeastern side of Colorado Springs. The Black Forest Fire burned 14,280 acres and destroyed 511 homes. Like the Waldo Canyon Fire, 2 people died in the Black Forest fire. Some students from Air Academy were affected by the Black Forest Fire.

Tennessee continues to push on in their struggle against the natural disasters that have occurred in the past month. With the help of first respondents, relief teams, and the nation, the Sevier community will rebuild from their unfortunate tragedy.