Mountain firestorm: The story of the Gatlinburg wildfires

[@Highland_Moo]

I’m from the NW coast of Scotland and we have hillfires quite regularly now. They are terrifying and with the winds we get the fires can shift in an instant and they move fast. Compared to the massive fires seen in the USA, Canada and Australia, our fires are small but they still terrify me. I own cattle and they are free to roam in the hills. Many a time we’ve had to try and find our cows and get them away from danger and it’s always a horrible experience. Fire absolutely scares the crap outta me. I’m so sorry to those who lost their homes and businesses in Gatlinburg…..I knew nothing about it until this video popped up on my feed. I hope the town has healed somewhat in the years since and I hope to visit some day too. It looks beautiful and one thing I see often from communities involved in these tragedies is the way folk come together to help each other and that’s a wonderful thing.

[@VerdantExploration]

Thank you for your kindhearted words! I live around the area and unfortunately the mountainsides are still scared :( There are still bare areas with trunks sticking out. I pray for the families and their losses. I can’t imagine how terrifying it must have been being there :( One of our favorite abandoned hotels was burnt down during this. The wonderland hotel. I can’t imagine how many other hidden gems we lost on top of the known buildings. I wonder how long it will take for the forest to grow back. It’s been 5 or so years now 😢

[@madmax3078]

All charges were dropped even though these 2 teens did in fact start the fires AND THERE IS A GOPRO VIDEO of them starting the fires by tossing lit matches on the Chimney Tops trail. However prosecutors dropped all charges because the wind was what spread the fire and killed all those people! One teen was a son of someone who worked at the sheriff's department, other is still unknown. ANY other person would have spent MANY years in prison!

[@saterninefeelings.]

yeah ikr agreed

[@Mr102405]

madmax3078 and that’s why the right thing to do is release their names and faces to the public.. I’m surprised you’re not hearing the how video games induced this Never that you’re kids an asshole and has never been punished for anything in his life.

[@teeMoney157]

Where's the video?

[@Mr102405]

TEEJAYY PLUMMER my understanding was the guy was hesitant about turning it over. It was mentioned what his reason was I cant remember offhand

[@Mr102405]

TEEJAYY PLUMMER it’s was from another hiker. I do know the clothes they were wearing helped identify the boys. They were going to use it so the 15 yr old could be tried as an adult but charges got dropped

[@tessw9744]

*"Salansky concluded the fire wasn't big enough for the expense, water drops can range as much as $20,000."* Basically that was the problem. He totally ignored his first chance to put that fire out because....well, money! How much money did it end up costing you in the *end,* Sherlock? Not to mention people's lives!!!!!

[@commiehunter733]

Exactly

[@chattjedi]

My heart just sunk those days. Buildings can be replaced but lives could not. Also, the Smokey Mts are the ancestral home of my Cherokee ancestors.

[@uwufeet240]

I live in Gatlinburg I cant forget that day

[@Mr102405]

I’m jealous you live there. I was there again in August. The place is awesome.

[@Mr102405]

Erik Rafter you mean Gatlinburg or Tennessee?

[@Mr102405]

Erik Rafter come try New York. You’ll sell your soul to go back to Gatlinburg

[@Mr102405]

Erik Rafter you were in the better part of the state and young enough not to have to deal with politics or the way NYC financially drains the rest of the state

[@Mr102405]

Erik Rafter what the hell is that? Nice school system. I live outside Buffalo. The people are great, our sports teams suck and the reputation of disastrous weather is false. It was nice talking with you. I’m still jealous

[@Tiffbishop2]

My heat breaks whenever I watch videos of the fires. Tennessee is my second home and I watched these fires from Florida. I couldn’t sleep I was up all night crying for my beloved home.

[@tammybuchholz9086]

For sure! We just got back from our trip there late last night and you can still see evidence. Burnt power poles, melted street lamps that the Pink Jeep Tour pointed out on the Roaring Forks tour. It brings you to tears every time I hear about them. It’s infuriating to know it was left overnight.

[@Tiffbishop2]

@@tammybuchholz9086 I will be going in just over a month, and yes, I still cry too. Went up to Anakeesta the last time I was there and went down the trail where they detailed the fires and then love visiting the park where they have the monument. Go to pay my respects every time I’m there

[@Blue_Bronco]

I’m from Tennessee and Florida is my second home 😳

[@giantelftoys5466]

I was a visitor during the week of the fires. We were staying at the Blue Green resort. It was Smokey for days, and over night, ash started falling and covering the car. We were going out to Pigeon Forge to see the Christmas show, but we were delayed for an hour due to a fallen tree across the road in the resort. This tree may have saved our life. Because we were about an hour behind schedule, things changed. Driving to Pigeon Forge, we saw the mountain on out rt side on fire from the top to the road. Once we came through the tunnel and say everything on fire, I turned around as soon as I could. The fire dept, closed the road to Gatlinburg right behind us. 5 seconds later and we would have been stuck in Pigeon Forge with everything we had in Gatlinburg. I knew we would be forced to leave at some point, but I didn’t want to leave by myself as I didn’t know where the fires were. One more fallen tree could have sealed out fate and we could have died in the fire. I want to thank everyone who helped with the evacuation. I have never seen so many fire trucks, police cars, I even saw several snow plows. The police, firemen, everyone did a terrific job and saved hundreds of lives. I want to personally thank each and every one of you that helped with the evacuations. My heart goes out to everyone who was hurt in any way. The 2 monsters who caused all of this should be in jail for the rest of their lives, they killed 14 people, not the winds. The winds were caused by the fire,end of story. They are responsible and should pay for it for the rest of their lives.

[@JamesSiek]

The winds were forecasted and existed before the fire was big enough to influence the weather conditions. The fire was not the cause of the wind. However I do not want to discount anything else you've said. Thank you for sharing your story

[@laethe230]

Even if the teens caused the fire, that doesn't make them monsters. You think they did it with intent? Teenagers are idiots. They probably felt horrible.

[@giantelftoys5466]

@@laethe230 what are you talking about…they purposely dropped matches in a tender box situation to cause a fire, and I repeat PURPOSELY DROPPED MATCHES…that is the meaning of intent. They could have stamped the fire out after the first match…but they didn’t! Those two juvenile delinquents killed 14 people, caused thousand of people to be traumatized for the rest of their lives, and caused hundreds of millions in damages due to their actions. Those 14 people should be alive today if those two hadn’t INTENTIONALLY dropped those matches. I guess you feel a teenage drunk driver shouldn’t be held responsible for their actions when they kill someone because when they started drinking their INTENT wasn’t to kill someone. People should be held accountable for their actions…PERIOD, it’s because of people who think like you, violent criminals are being let go with out any jail time because holding someone accountable for their actions is just being an old meanie grouchy puss. Give me a break! Your kind makes me sick!

[@claudedalton8970]

GIANT, WELL SAID!

[@giantelftoys5466]

My meaning was a fire sucks in oxygen to keep on burning. Due to the fire being so large, it must have helped cause the winds to become stronger to a certain degree.

[@katiewade8054]

Absolute failure of emergency management services. E911 was poorly trained and rude to many that night, and the city manager has lied about so much related to all of this. Absolute disaster.

[@golightly5121]

Plasma

[@AppalachianCryptidDoge]

The ogle's own the entire county and have for decades. The truth is whatever they decide it is.

[@ironwoodnf]

@Chronic Blast we don't have the tech I think the Russians are sending molatovs via ballistic missle.

[@jasmineday7651]

I just left Gatlinburg/pigeon Forge today and we went out through Cade’s Cove heading back to NC, we went through Cherokee and on our way to Cherokee we saw the mountain it all started on (chimney top) in the pictures it was a beautiful mountain and it still is but I can’t believe how burnt and charred the mountain it especially the very top. The past two years me and my family have gone to Tennessee for thanksgiving and seen the great Smoky Mountains, it’s unbelievable how much of the mountains burnt if you every get the chance to go to Tennessee I definitely recommend going and looking at the mountain it’s worth the drive for the Beautiful view going up and to see where it started if you look closely at the mountain if you get to go you are able to see where the fire jumped and skipped parts. I want to say how sorry I am to the people who lost their lives and family members in the fire none of y’all deserved what happened and those two teens that caused it should have had to serve jail time.(11-30-19)

[@Mcdouble123]

I went there in 2020, we saw it too. Horrible really.

[@josephrector972]

The lies from the city, the park and county officials sicken me.

[@bethanydavis9023]

Please share wh happened and what they're lying about. I know that there were no warnings or news broadcasts from some videos but that's about it.

[@commiehunter733]

​@@bethanydavis9023 true

[@RP-tz6jv]

Those teens should have too spend the rest of their lives helping rebuild every structure and giving money to families who lost!

[@tenngirl4trump]

R P NO! That's not enough punishment for not only the lives they took (human and Animal) but what they took. I'm livid!!

[@RP-tz6jv]

It was a juvenile from Anderson County, Who's parent is a City Official. Bullshit! I love Gatlinburg! I'm going back to Smoky Mountain Brewery in 288hrs!

[@lisas4777]

Anyone who believes that "kids did this" is surely deceived & doomed for what we are all about to face : ( 20+ separate fires, started by 2 kids (who are anonymous, because it didn't happen!) Sure, that makes sense..

[@atlguera564]

Troy Carollo I just got back. I missed it so much I turned around and went back last week again too. So I have been there twice in the last 3 weeks. This place has been rebuilt for the most part and I would say is doing well and thriving. I just remember a lot of the little motels in chalets fromy younger years. Alot are missing. They've made a memorial to those who lost their lives and homes on the top of Anakeesta. Doesn't feel like it's enough though.

[@atlguera564]

Lisa Sexton You're right. I've heard that it was an older gentleman who was pissed off. These are all rumors. All we really know, is that it was man-made. People listen to what they hear and run with it....like 🐑🐑🐑

[@michaelmarini3123]

It has taken me over a year to watch any videos on this fire... This is the story of my broken heart...

[@atlguera564]

Michael Marini I'm so sorry. The Smokies are my 2nd home.

[@JJ-GG2050]

I'm so sorry Michael ❤💔

[@MaraschinoMary1]

Y’all we are so sorry you’ve had to go through all this. It is too much of a burden for one town to recover alone. Perhaps you may have some knowledge that you could share with Paradise California. You all know too well what they are going through. Perhaps you could organize facebook groups and once the Paradise people have shelter and communication available perhaps you could invite them to join you in the face groups. Then they would be able to help with lots of issues. How to get back on their feet again. How to start healing. Counseling children who’ve been through devastating results. Advice on rebuilding their lives from the ground up. Help with matching temporary foster homes for pets until the families have what they need to bring their pets back in. It just made me think, dammit The next time we have a disaster here in NC, I’ll take time off work, grab a credit card, and go find a family with kids and pets to help. Right now, we don’t have an especially generous White House eager to step up and get people what they need. That’s alright. just be that way. but i’m getting off my ass and going to help people.

[@colosiouscomposter7462]

Michael Marini I’m so sorry for your trauma I really can’t imagine having to live in such a disaster. It is a miracle you are alive and I will pray for your health. Your life is precious and I’m more that grateful for your survival.

[@rockinfaceplant0000]

it is so mind boggling to watch these idiot city and government employees cover their asses in court trying to assure everyone that they did everything they could ..this was the laziest job of government protection i have ever seen ,,its like they threw out all of their technology and weather service devices ..

[@jenjen8691]

I lived on baskins creek rd. Only lived there about 6 months. This day was absolutely horrifying. I have horrible anxiety, this night as i was evacuating with my bf and his family I ended up puking and so much more. We were never told to evacuate,never! We didnt know how bad it was til our front yard was on fire. I lived on baskins creek. This was super scary and heartbreaking. It's so sad to have about 3 minutes to gather things from your home. Wth do u gather in that time? We were very lucky to have our family and animals make it out. for those who didnt I am so very sorry. Our neighbor told us we made it out just in time. As soon as we pulled off a tree fell and just lit everything up. I could go on forever. Just so sad.

[@BEmbalmingU]

Our family's place was over on Baskins Creek as well. We had #404 at the townhouses there. We lost everything.

[@jenjen8691]

I'm so sorry. I hope you are doing well. We lost everything as well. Definitely a sad day for many.

[@madisonhull]

This video not only breaks my heart, but it sickens me at how incompetent city “officials” can be. In California, a fire never gets left unattended until it has been completely put out. Regardless if areas are at as high of a risk for fires as we are out here in CA, officials should be trained to know how to fight these fires and need to take measures to put them out immediately! What a shame!

[@jayjohnson6158]

Let me assure you, California is not the standard to follow regarding fires.

[@davidwadsworth8982]

Not true about California, that states problem is that the Communist State Government kiss's the ass of the Siera Club and does NOT CONTROL BURN ENOUGH! Say it again NOT ENOUGH CONTROL BURNING! In NJ we dod enough control burn. Californians,rich spoiled used to getting their way politic AGAINST CC.B. They do not like the small, it irritates them.California has 20/30 years worth of ripe fire fuel on the ground.In NJ we do BURN and in the Pine barrens no California size fires.Burn every late winter early spring all over the state. So scrwew California doing it right.

[@HangingAround-kd7gs]

Neither is Tennessee😮

[@iceman3117]

Not sure if California is a good example in your point there.

[@jonathanduncan7897]

Camp Creek fire? They were literally telling people there was no emergency...

[@seaboardspastic]

I remember going back to the GSM after previously visiting 4 months before this. In February of 2018, I went rafting on one of the rivers and then rode on the GSMR. There was still the aftermath of burnt trees and dead stump logs that have been ignited. We even passed burned down homes, it was truly a terrible sight to witness.

[@Bunch007]

Its a shame that nobody learns from other peoples mistakes. Look at Centrailia PA. I don''t care if the fire is just an acre or just the size of a coffee can. You go up there and contain it or put it out. Now look at the consequences. Did they learn their lesson? Probably not. RIP to those who lost their life for the stubborness of the city council.

[@MsFiregal8]

Bunch007 HD do you have any experience or knowledge of wildfires? Obviously not from your comments. You can't just "go up there and contain them or put them out". If only it was that simple or easy. IT ISN'T!!!!! I suggest you check out forest service instructive videos and ones on fires like the Tarbell and the Storm Mountain fires. Shut up until you know what you're talking about. An experienced structural firefighter and relative of a wild land hotshot.

[@mr.skipper4544]

Why did it take so long for the OFFICIALS to dispatch the helicopters, if the fire is so difficult to get to by foot, then the park service should have dispatched them helicopters right from the beginning, I'm from just over the mountain from centralia, and she still burns to this day, we have incompetent government officials and they should be removed

[@lindasaffles4189]

Gatlinburg is more concerned with collecting revenue from pay to park all over the city. I hate going there. Those poor people had a horrific final hours.

[@claudedalton8970]

@@MsFiregal8AS A FELLOW VOLUNTEER FROM ANOTHER STATE, 100% TRUE AND I AGREE! BLESS YOU SISTER!

[@heatscore9407]

Oh ya saving that money one the first day was sooooo the right thing to do

[@christah4102]

Why is the juvenile case 'shrouded in secrecy'? It's almost as though certain officials wanted this place to burn. This whole thing stinks to the high Heavens.

[@ashkenazizionist9937]

i would not but it past who ever is involved i mean this fire was going on for days no news was covering this and the video is "shrouded in secrecy" i heavily doubt this was 2 teens playing with matches

[@milepost4846]

Christa H: Because juvenile cases are ALWAYS never told to the public when they are underage. I sure wouldn't put it past dumbass kids playing with matches. Shit like this happens all the time with punk kids with them breaking car glass, vandalism, breaking stuff, so never say never.

[@noneofyourbusiness7594]

There dad was a police chief in anderson county it got covered up case over

[@bethanydavis9023]

Perhaps the boys were put up to it by someone else? Juveniles are more niave and stupid than adults and can get away with more. Ignoring the fire and providing no help or warning certainly makes it seem like there were ulterior motives, not even counting the excuses provided.

[@daholyspirit2783]

@@bethanydavis9023 No stupid and naive juveniles are stupid and naive there’s no excuse because you’re a teenager the same way you do something stupid as an adult you know better

[@theneiqwa]

As a native this whole thing still sickens me. The kids/parents got away with it due to negligence from start to finish. Still to this day the damage is still evident. People are still hurting from this around here.

[@jonathanduncan7897]

The kids got away with it because one of their parents was a city official from Anderson County. That's why it's so "secret"

[@theneiqwa]

@@jonathanduncan7897 I can’t say I know all the details because you’re right, it has been “down low.” That sounds right on par given how those counties are ran and the corruption they’re known for though.

[@laethe230]

Many people form the area have said they don't believe kids had anything to do with it, electrical fires instead

[@Highland_Moo]

@@laethe230 I still believe it was started by the boys. The winds that brought down the electrical poles were well after the initial fire had been started. Those boys are responsible for the murder of 14 lives and destruction of a community. They should have to spend their lives facing the consequences of their actions. They should be made to face the families of the people who were killed, the families who lost their homes and businesses. I’m sickened that they and their parents have been let off with this crime because of links to government etc.

[@atrumphasmatis6719]

I live 25 min away and work on cabins up there all the time. There was 2 separate fires one was a transformer exploding and then this one that was set by the minors

[@shaneirwin9736]

Every single service department failed. They let that fire burn in the park for way to long when they could have taken control.

[@landonjennings8110]

My dad was a fireman that came from fucking Putnam county aka Cookeville to help put out the fires. They tried to come a day sooner but the Gatlinburg fire captain refused. My dad responded to over 60 calls while he was there and in total was there 5 days.So not every fire department failed just Gatlinburg fire department

[@mobsprincess2]

It was to big to

[@sharoniam5426]

No one can take control when GOD SENDS JUDGEMENT! THIS IS WHAT PREACHING THE GOSPEL IS ABOUT REPENT THE LORD IS AT HAND. WE HAVE BEEN WARNING people over 2,000 years the world is going to burn as an oven and all people living in the face of the earth is going to get burned up there will not leave root not branch. THE ONLY WAY TO ESCAPE THE WRATH OF GOD IS TO REPENT OF your sins and GET BAPTIZED IN THE NAME THE FATHER OF THE SON AND THE HOLY GHOST WITH FIRE IN THE WOUNDERFUL MIGHTY NAME OF MESSIAH KING JESUS CHRIST! REPENT 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AT HAND! THE END IS NEAR!

[@float_sam]

Didn't even notify anyone

[@binzsta86]

I'm just curious, is the state or town run by Democrats?

[@RyderDavis]

Wow! I was living in Santa Barbara, California when this happened, and hadn't gotten a chance to read any news yet that day, but I had people in SB who new that I was from South Knoxville, informing me that Gatlinburg was on fire. So tragic.

[@JA-eq5um]

sounds like them teens were related to someone high up in the government

[@samuels_nimitz403]

they were the children of the sheriff i think

[@wendyhamblin3511]

My Daughter and her husband live up hill from WestGate and they almost didn’t make it out with their 3cats , Dog and bird but lost their home, BUT GOD SAVED THEIRS LIFE AND HELPED THEM REBUILD A BETTER HOME ! But this will be in their memory forever!

[@OmmerSyssel]

No questions about delayed use of sirens?

[@liberyone5185]

Major screw up by officials.

[@matthewleal3343]

the smokies is like my second maybe third home but home enough to say this pisses me off. Visiting here currently and its wild to think there was a crazy fire here at one point. Glad to see how beautiful Gatlinburg has recovered and oh my lord is there a lot of tourists here now it's wild

[@atlguera564]

We ❤️ you Gatlinburg TN

[@Chris-ey6rn]

ATL Guera thank you ❤️

[@tenngirl4trump]

How the hell did those little brats get away with it is beyond me! I'm a proud Tennessean who watched from a far my beautiful state, my place of soul replenishment afire and knowing those responsible for it get a pass! I'm angry... no... I'M PISSED!

[@kimcarmack914]

The boys didn't start the fire! Your government let this happen. Also kind of funny that FEMA and red cross was just over the mountain when this took place hmmmmnn. Dirty bastards also took the money and ran. For instance....publix donated 500 thousand and Brandi Hinkle who works customer service at Home Depot she said her store donated $200,000. None of this money stayed in our community. Plus they lied about the death toll.....more people died than you think.

[@lisas4777]

Kim Carmack .. Anyone who believes that "kids did this" is surely deceived & doomed for what we are all about to face : ( 20+ separate fires, started by 2 kids (who are anonymous, because it didn't happen!) Sure, that makes sense..

[@tobiasj2455]

The level of stupidity is astonishing. The govt did it? Super weapons? Get real. It was spoiled brats who did it. The legal system failed this time.

[@mr.nibblenips4231]

You actually think there were two teens that did this? This was an experiment. Remember JFK? Lee Harvey Oswald as the shooter. Nope. 9/11? Bunch of terrorist from the Middle East that hijacked the planes. Nope. Eyes Wide Shut.

[@mr.nibblenips4231]

@@kimcarmack914 This is why I don't give to charities anymore. I think we all know who skims off the top.

[@jordanparton2918]

Kids absolutely did this. They interviewed a teen girl and she was sobbing saying she was sorry and that they didn't mean for the fire to spread like it did and they didn't mean to hurt anyone. Regardless they should have been charged for murder and been held responsible for all the damages. Had it been an adult they would have charged them with every single death.

[@commiehunter733]

The authorities let the fire grow for 3 or 4 days

[@claudedalton8970]

JORDANPARTON, IN TODAY'S WORLD, "KIDS", "TEENS" ARE THE EXCUSE USED FOR PEOPLE THAT INTENTIONALLY MURDER PEOPLE DAILY IN THE CITIES AS THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE CALLED! THE ARE ACTUALLY MONSTERS! JUST YOUNGER THAN THE 17-18 YEAR OLD LIMIT OF SAYING IT PUBLICLY BY FAKE NEWS!

[@gabifrancis7414]

I went to Gatlinburg today and you can still see the burnt trees

[@jencorcoran156]

went yesterday and you could still see burned trees. It’s really sad I wish I could have gone before the fires happened

[@gabifrancis7414]

@Jen Corcoran I live around a hour away and I remember when the fire didn’t happened it was so beautiful and so many animals around...look at some photos before the fire and you will see what it use to look like

[@NopeToTheNope1991]

The families of the deceased should sue the city. I would.

[@ChrisOsle-kw5pl]

One of the most astounding videos from that day were the 2 guys and a dog, driving outta that mountain, and they were completely surrounded by fire. Thank GOD they were in a big truck - a car wouldn't have been able to get thru the downed trees - and near the end of the video, when they're close to safery, you can hear the truck damage as it's driving. It's a miracle they got down that mountain

[@RapDevil-ic9gz]

I went through it lost my best friend that night 😔

[@katelynncogdill5364]

Rip pamela Johnson

[@katelynncogdill5364]

All the others

[@generalgringo9887]

May your best friend rest in everlasting peace 💚

[@saterninefeelings.]

awww im sos for your loss ;(

[@michaelmachado2572]

I drove up there today, I live in Maryville, I'm still shocked at what people lost... Chokes you right up..

[@musicismyname419]

i remeber this i was in 1st grade and i went outside for recess and the sky was red and grey. You could see ashes flying in the sky. It was so windy that it broke my swing set. Also it was so windy that when i got home from school a small tornado of leafes went around mt brother.

[@ihrtemma542]

I think I was 10-11 when this happened (I'm 13 now). I don't remember that much. But I was maybe an hour away from it (I'm not rlly sure. I'm just guessing lol I was in jasper TN). We would go outside and see ashes falling. In our hair and all over us. I was on my way to church to practice for my christmas play and we looked over at the mountains and saw a small glowing light and we knew it was the fire. It was freezing too..almost snowing. But I remember being absolutely terrified while practicing for the play. I literally wouldn't shut up about it. I remember going home and crying like half the night. I was so scared that it would spread and reach my house (I dont rlly think there was any way it would but yeah). that's how I know about it. And I'll never forget what I saw..it was huge. So sorry for everyone who went thru this. ❤💔

[@malayabittle4100]

And it’s really sad that right now I’m where fire once was.

[@jacksonplayz3170]

I talked to a victim of the fire and he said,"if this was thanksgiving several 100k people could of died." And gatlinburg is about 2 miles long and during Thanksgiving it would take 3 hours to go 2 miles

[@caydenjohnson7124]

My boyfriend almost died from this 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 thank you God for keeping him alive and I am so sorry for all the lost lives and homes 💔💔

[@larrywilson7933]

So many people making such bad decisions. It always comes down to money. The cost in the end, was so much worse than any amount of money. We lost a dear friend to that fire.

[@jayskestrel8130]

I was there 3 days before the fire. The condo I was staying in (Tree tops) burnt down. I came back 4 days after the fire as well.

[@watchthe1369]

The same happened to Gatlinberg as what happened to Malaya from the tidal wave. There had not been a serious fire in so long that people did not realize it could be a force of nature the size of a tidal wave. Californians know that you simply cannot leave any spark going and know how a little wind can pump a fire, much less a solid Santa Ana style wind. Year in and Year out, not every couple decades, is the frequency in California.

[@claudedalton8970]

TRUE!

[@ynotchristian1366]

I stayed at a Gatlinburg manor in 2013; the entire area was so beautiful! It’s horrendous to see that people died; over a carelessness cause by humans; teens or not! I hope all of the business & residences were able to rebuild. I hope that that fire safety is talked about at every level of education from primary schools to high schools in the aftermath; so this never happens again! 😢😢😢

[@owenpenrod6154]

I left 12 hours before the condo I was staying at for the week of Thanksgiving caught on fire. I am so lucky I came back to Ohio other wise I would have got trapped and probably died. My family was thinking about staying one for night but we left. I'm so grateful

[@iamryanne]

Dropped all charges?

[@ChrisOsle-kw5pl]

Almost rhe exact same thing happened in the Camp Fire (Paradise, CA) and the Tubbs Fire (Santa Rosa, CA). Unusually warm night and a really strong, hot, unexpected winds. I'm sorry this happened to you

[@tyleryoung2020]

The teens IMO should be charged with: 14 counts of involuntary manslaughter 2,500 counts of vandalism over $10k And 14,000 counts of reckless endangerment. At least. Yes, I understand this is how the law does not work. But as stated IMO.

[@kf8852]

It was horrible my husband still thinks of it when he smells smoke he was with the tree companys that cleared roads for the emergency vehicles to get through

[@teenieneenie630]

Incompetence all the way around.

[@Mike-01234]

That's crazy a fire and high winds forecast and no one stays overnight to watch the fire they just go home let god sort it out.

[@tammybuchholz9086]

Those 2nd thoughts he had was the turning point. What the actual hell??

[@minihonchos2003]

I was here a week before this situation😭. I went to the Alamo and it was so good and now I can never go back to it because it was gone. I hope everyone made it out. And thanks to the two idiots who started the fire. I heard that they dropped a cigarette and ran away and didn’t wanna get introuble.

[@tenngirl4trump]

mini honchos No they were caught on video playing with matches

[@minihonchos2003]

Laura Tieffel someone told me it was a cancer stick

[@loganretske2961]

mini honchos just ate at the new rebuilt alamo yesterday!

[@atlguera564]

mini honchos First of all, cigarette is not going to start a wildfire genius. OMG do you even know how many people throw their cigarettes out going up and down the mountain every day? I've seen about a hundred just this month. Second of all you need fumes or export to start a fire. BTW both Alamo locations are still there. You guys are perfect example of how much people talk. Blah blah blah

[@jaydubnor1446]

@@atlguera564 It honestly blows my mind what people blame cigarettes for lol. Like people who think smoking a cigarette near gas is dangerous, like your going to blow everyone up around you for a 5 mile radius if you smoke anywhere near gas lol. What most people don't understand is that you can take a fully lit cigarette and throw it in a whole tank/ barrel full of gas and what you will end up witnessing is that fully lit cigarette becoming entirely extinguished lol. Like you said, you need some kind of accelerant or very dead brush and either extremely hot embers like what would come off of a match

[@mad_derek6312]

I went there last year and I saw that a fire happened there and I didn’t know it was this bad,I been on the ride and saw the before and after picture

[@mirabehn-stormysynapse]

Thank you

[@kevinbates1544]

We were there the morning g it started we didnt know exactly what was going on at the time we just saw ash falling looked like snow we had such a wonderful week

[@mrduder5555]

Weird knowing that i lived in Gatlinburg and was there when the fires happen was scary

[@wonderverse9]

Their is so many houses in the mountains where people actually live, it’s so sad

[@outboundflight4455]

Disgusting. Incredible how corruption and negligence can cost lives, businesses, and money. I'm a Floridian here on vacation in Gattlinburg on my last day till I go back. I hope the then city council, mayor and entire sheriff's department be completely fired to this day, and if they aren't then the warm, kind and strong citizens of Gattlinburg,Tennessee who lost loved ones and their businesses need to root those snakes out and send them to prison. its 2022, I'm glad Gattlinburg rose from the ashes and looks beautiful but evil should not go unpunished.

[@dianapearson1771]

Just watching this video in 2018, August. Escape from hell. You need to put your vehicle in an advertisement! That's the scariest thing I've ever seen. So thankful you made it down. You made a good escape team. Could hear your poor dog in distress. I certainly hope all you folks got some compensation. Can't believe no warn in my. I watched other videos after yours. Yeah. We had been in Gatlinburg, headed home and saw on FB that Gatlinburg was on fire!!!!! God bless you. So sorry for the tremendous loss.

[@raymondfrye5017]

How is it there was such low humidity in the winter, IN THE MOUNTAINS.?...FIRE?...IN NOVEMBER?

[@hunterpigg5662]

Raymond Frye Tennessee’s Fire Season is from October 15 - May 15

[@jexularmlb]

This was a terrible situation I have a place in Dandridge. Even now you can still see where the trees have been burnt

[@K9123-x8s]

I go there every year

[@saterninefeelings.]

we will miss the old Gatlinburg and other towns destroyed

[@ZeZeBatata69]

Wait 4 days for the rain? really wtf?!

[@milepost4846]

Looks like "Lets react now" is better. Trusting weather patterns is not wise considering how often they change.

[@Mr102405]

How about how they said lightening was the cause. Because obviously throwing lit matches would never do that

[@worthman9644]

Ikr?? Just put out the god damn fire instead of looking for rain

[@lorareynolds111]

Just saw this video today. It was extremely upsetting when the fire occurred, but after watching this video, those involved from the National Park Service and Gatlinburg should have been held accountable! Procedures were not followed and, in my opinion, they were incompetent.

[@123G-r4d]

20k wasnt worth it? life is cheap to some people.

[@mikedavis2969]

Where was Dolly ?

[@cannonball9478]

Officials should be up on man slaughter charges. Complete incompetence to leave a fire unmanaged/unchallenged

[@notthatdonald1385]

If that's truly the case. The video is vague on that point. It may have been an unqualified local person. US Forestry Hot Shots would 1) never send *one person* , and they wouldn't abandon the fire.

[@maxdecphoenix]

You do realize that you're blaming a municiple fire chief for a fire which originated on a Federal National Park, right? I'm not certain what kind of agreements the local area has with the Federal Park regarding emergency services, but to blame him for the Feds not handling their own property is a bit low.

[@jennyd4242]

i thought the lady at the end was going to say "I thought i was all bullshit these kids got away w it" lmaoo

[@AppalachianCryptidDoge]

The sense of complacency (and rush to mitigate blame) from government officials compounded with the complete lack of situational awareness from soft minded doe-eyed tourists is absolutely staggering. Im surprised this didnt turn into a mass casualty event.

[@xelgodis80085]

Honestly all the emergency services should have been prosecuted, not a single warning issued nor rescue vehicle used.

[@joesmoe5006]

It is called the Smokey mountains right

[@Tyoitube12086]

Yes

[@cstmeister]

I visit here every Summer

[@Mr102405]

Me too

[@---kx1xc]

i just google mapped this area.

[@blakeledbetter7682]

I remember watching it on tv at night

[@kimbarnhouse6650]

You shouldn't have waited. You should have started putting it out as soon as you got there

[@T.R.U.T.H..]

Would an underground bunker be safe in a situation like that?

[@OmmerSyssel]

Intensive fire uses the oxygen right away.. Even moving engines/cars can suffocate passing through a fire

[@Thatguyujustmet]

“The fire was burning underground” You would need some sort of emergency air supply that the fire couldn’t get to... if you had that, then yeah probably.

[@RHGM71]

There is a standard for constructing fire shelters, but it’s developed by Australian government. In short, it is possible, but several important things must be observed, e.g. it must be away from house, path to it must be constructed in a way so you’ll be shielded from radiant heat, doors must be airtight, etc. I don’t think fema has one.

[@musicnerd72]

"juvenile case remains shrouded in secrecy". All I hope is that those teens don't live to be adults. Fire would be the best way to take them out, but I'll settle for any kind of outing.

[@ChrisOsle-kw5pl]

Why didn't you guys use local TV and radio? Maybe could have reached more people. But you were in an unmanageable situation, and I am so sorry you all went thru that. It's a really cute place

[@woody5551]

10:00 When running away, she mentioned grabbing her glasses. What the emergency responders recommend is knowing where your glasses and shoes are when getting up in the night to evacuate.

[@ጠዪነጕሁረረሃ]

I feel so sad I am so glad that I left right before it happened and my cabin burned down

[@katherinehayes9110]

I honestly hope the powers that be learn the lessons of this horrific tragedy.it teaches me to be alert for myself and not depend on the authorities to protect me or my family.

[@nancyweliczko9334]

I don't understand why the fire wasn't put out when it was burning a couple of acres especially if the winds was high, I live in a county in Indiana that has a no burn law if the winds are higher then 10 mph. So sad R.I.P to those who lost their lives.

[@asamanyworlds3772]

We was there before the fires we was there after the fires really changed way better

[@TomSidProductions]

It didn't take long for that wind to blow all that smoke through Knoxville. We could hardly breathe that day.

[@riverice7]

It was a holiday weekend and nobody is really “on the job” or fully staff never fails ☹️

[@commiehunter733]

No warnings and nobody clearing debris off roads is a combination for disaster, especially for a mountain fire

[@milepost4846]

So many assumptions of what MAY NOT HAPPEN instead of taking action to prevent what MAY HAPPEN (and did happen). Per usual, incompetence in government no matter if they are left or right wing. One thing you can count on in both parties, poor decisions.

[@conleyoaks3026]

They knew the fire was present and that the winds were forecasted to be strong they should have evacuated way before dark I find this as negligence wait til it's too late and evacuate.with winds that high blowing the direction of Gatlinburg I would have been concerned about people's safety.

[@stephanieennis8020]

WOW! Uhhhhh wow

[@aleortega5768]

They should reopen the case! This is so sad I love Gatlinburg so much. Those boys need to go to jail at least 10 years period.

[@mr.nibblenips4231]

There was no boys. Stop taking the blue pill.

[@mav48185]

Mother Nature took her place back now. Greener than ever. I was there after the fire. Sad how much was lost.

[@gachastudiopineapple1576]

I as there when this happened

[@keithsage7258]

Did the forest recover.

[@MsFiregal8]

Keith Sage will take many Yeats even with forest service replanting efforts

[@lisas4777]

Don't worry, it WILL happen again! Nothing we can do to stop them..

[@katelynncogdill5364]

Getting there... Still burnt places but now overgrowing with new life..

[@Mr102405]

Keith Sage I was there in August it looks surprisingly improved but there still are some scorched areas and standing burnt trees

[@nutgut69]

call me a wimp for not being able to finish the video in one sitting, but i just wanted to mention that they never called school out until the evacuations started. pi phi had to start filling up with smoke while everything outside turned bright orange before they finally sent us home. even then the evacuations were a mess. i was stuck at the school as it was faster for my mom to drive there from sevierville than it was to get a bus to accommodate my disabled sister. yes, they made two children sit in a school that was gradually filling with more and more smoke because they couldn't be damnned to have an efficient evacuation plan for people in wheelchairs. another common misconception is that the school burned down. no, it didn't, but many of the windows exploded and the interior suffered from smoke damage. we were relocated to alternate locations until they finished repairs in february.

[@CJ3000]

Gatlinburg really failed their citizens with that lackluster response. That was one of the most ridiculous disasters I've ever seen.

[@ColumnOfAsh-d1f]

Wildfires and floods just spontaneously happen in towns that are suffering from collapsing financially........weird......how tragedy can bring in so much aid and revenue and abundances of heroes and memorials to a dying economy. Weird how things happen. Think about it.

[@colosiouscomposter7462]

Funny how his last name is hotz

[@matthannah4621]

"It was like running through hell..." says the woman that never been there

[@bennie_1]

Hi Matthew

[@AngelaBuyck]

We went back after built the town