FIRE AND SMOKE IN GATLINBURG TN
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.
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.
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
Black Bear Falls Resort (TEMA reported this…but hearing conflicting reports)
Westgate Resort (Extensive damage…not destroyed )
Numerous properties on Ski Mountain
Approx. 70 homes in Wears Valley area
Approx. 70 homes in Cobbly Knob/Pittman Center area
Highlands Condos (destroyed…confirmed )
Restaurants destroyed
Alamo Steakhouse
Attractions destroyed
CONFIRMED AS STILL STANDING
Pretty much everything along the Parkway downtown including restaurants, attractions, moonshine distilleries, lodging, etc.
Lodging
DreamMore Resort
Mt Leconte Lodge
River Terrace may have damage. They are assessing and will be closed through Sunday Dec 4)
Greystone Lodge
Laurel Springs Lodge Bed & Breakfast
Sidney James Mountain Lodge
Park Vista
Olde Gatlinburg Condos
Baskins Creek Condos
Brookside Resort
Jack Huff’s Motor Lodge
Restaurants
No Way Jose’s
Log Cabin Pancake House
Attractions
Hillbilly Golf
Ripley’s Aquarium
Dollywood
Gatlinburg Space Needle
Ole Smoky Moonshine
Doc Collier Moonshine
Sugarlands Distilling Company
Arts & Craft Community down Glades Road
Mountain Mall
10 comments
is the Crossroads Motel in Gatlinburg still standing? we always stay there on vacation. Really concerned
Can some one tell me about baymont on the river?
So heartbroken over this may god bless all of you stay save
I heard Hillbilly Golf was destroyed you have it listed as still standing which is it?
GOD SPEED to all in Sevier Co. I gave spent decades at Mr. Kings cabins in Pittman Center. Know Austin Green, a great rave car driver, great little grocery store w the best bacon. Ever. Again, GOD SPEED
Excuse my typo’s. Didn’t catch them.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!!! We were just there a few weeks ago and love it there!!!
My heart breaks for you!
????????
Thank you for all the prayers and Lov
As a man who exhibited in the Smoky Mtn Gift Show for about 33 years (but not in the last 16 years although I am planning on returning to the area in 2017), I am very interested.
I am shocked that this Gatlinburg group (you) would report things but say ‘not confirmed’. You are there. If you do not know…who knows?
I read the local newspaper account that said the Miniature Golf park was destroyed. That contradicts what you posted. I also read that the Park Hotel was damaged but I don’t see it in your report.
I am still looking for reliable news on the damage.
No one seems to know about Baskins Creek Road, or the homes on that Street. Just for the record, all but 7 homes and cabins on this street were destroyed. 12 people were trapped on this street and came close to dying in the fire. But hey, the condos are ok..