A SOURCED HISTORICAL ACCOUNT

The 2016 Gatlinburg Wildfires, ten years later.

To mark the tenth anniversary on November 28, 2026, I look back at what happened, the people who stepped up, and how that night changed our community.

Read the account View the sources

01

WHAT HAPPENED

Six days that changed Gatlinburg and Sevier County.

  1. A fire is reported near Chimney Tops.

    The National Park Service says the Chimney Tops 2 Fire was reported at approximately 5:30 p.m. in a remote, steep area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The terrain made direct access difficult.

    National Park Service Fire Summary

  2. The fire spreads toward Gatlinburg.

    Exceptional drought and extreme winds drove rapid fire growth. High winds and poor visibility prevented helicopters from flying. The local after-action review records spot fires at Twin Creeks, about 1.5 miles from Gatlinburg's city limits, at about 11:30 a.m.

    After Action Review

  3. Wind-driven fire reaches the community.

    The NPS reports sustained evening winds of 40 to 50 mph and gusts up to 87 mph. Embers carried ahead of the main fire and downed power lines started additional fires. The local review documents expanding evacuations alongside power and communication outages.

    After Action Review

  4. The winds subside. The scale becomes visible.

    At around 2 a.m. on November 29, winds subsided and steady rain began. The local after-action review recorded 14 deaths, 2,501 structures impacted, and approximately 17,000 acres ignited. Further wildland-fire spread was minimal, although some structure fires continued for days.

    After Action Review
14people died as a result of the firestorm
2,501structures were impacted
≈17,000acres were ignited
14,000+residents and visitors evacuated; most were out of danger by about 10 p.m.

Figures reported in the 2017 City of Gatlinburg and Sevier County after-action review.

02

TEN YEARS LATER

Ten years later. I haven't forgotten.

Every anniversary brings me back to that night.

I remember how difficult that night was. I also remember the people who stepped up, the help that came, and the way our community responded.

Ten years later, that experience is still part of my life. This time of year makes me stop and reflect on what happened and how it continues to change me.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

People who answered the call.

I will always remember the emergency services personnel who came to help and the heroism shown during the response.

THE COMMUNITY

The way people came together.

I remember the support people gave one another and how much the community stepped up when help was needed.

THE YEARS SINCE

What I carry forward.

Along with the memory of that night, I carry a lasting appreciation for the people who helped us get through it.

Wisdom at a Cost by John Mathews

03

THE FULLER PERSONAL STORY

Wisdom at a Cost

A Story of Survival, Strength, and Leadership

That night changed my life. My story began long before it.

In Wisdom at a Cost, I write about a difficult childhood, addiction and recovery, and the path that led me into emergency services and leadership. The final chapters bring that journey to the Gatlinburg wildfires and the personal aftermath.

View the book on Amazon Watch the WBIR interview

04

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FIRE

Clear answers. Visible sources.

05

Sources

  1. 01
    National Park Service, Chimney Tops 2 Fire

    The reported date, terrain, drought, wind, and park-area context.

  2. 02
    After Action Review of the November 28, 2016, Firestorm

    Commissioned by the City of Gatlinburg and Sevier County. The local timeline, impacts, emergency-management role, and response context.

  3. 03
    NPS release on the independent Chimney Tops 2 Fire review

    Information about the separate National Park Service review.

  4. 04
    John Mathews, Wisdom at a Cost: A Story of Survival, Strength, and Leadership

    My memoir, with the Gatlinburg wildfires and personal aftermath covered in its final chapters.

More from John

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