2016 Southeastern United States wildfires

The 2016 Southeastern United States wildfires are a series of wildfires in the Southeastern United States in October and November 2016. As of November 15, 2016, the U.S. Forest Service reported tracking 33 wildfires that had burned about 90,000 acres (36,000 ha).

Context

Firefighters from 21 states^[4] including Washington and Oregon have been part of the effort to fight the blazes. North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory said 1600 firefighters fought 19 fires in his state, at a cost of $10 million since October 23. Arson is believed responsible for several fires in the Nantahala National Forest where 46,000 acres had burned as of November 18.^[5][6] The Asheville Regional Airport reported no rain for ten days after October 8, 2016, after which the area was considered to be in severe drought,^[7] while Cherokee, Clay and Macon Counties were considered to be in extreme drought. A month later these three counties and Graham and part of Swain were in exceptional drought, and ten other counties were in extreme drought. Only a trace of rain fell in the month ending November 15 and the airport reported a 10.8 inches (27 cm) deficit for the year 2016 as of November 18.^[5][8][9]

Lightning and accidental human activity such as campfires may have started some fires. Poor air quality is an issue in Asheville and other parts of western North Carolina.^[6]

Western North Carolina fires

Smoke from the Tellico Fire near the Nantahala Outdoor Center

External video

Haze over Atlanta caused by the wildfires

Reconnaissance Flight over the Rock Mountain Fire

RAW: Footage shows burnt out buildings in aftermath of Tennessee wildfire on YouTube

The Tellico Fire in North Carolina began October 23, 2016 in Swain County, North Carolina and had burned over 5,600 hectares (14,000 acres) as of November 18, 2016. The Boteler Fire in Clay County, North Carolina began October 25 and had burned 3,600 hectares (8,900 acres) as of November 18.^[9]

The Party Rock Fire in North Carolina, which McCrory called number two in the country, began November 5, 2016 and as of November 18 has burned 2,900 hectares (7,200 acres) and resulted in the evacuation of 1000 people in the areas of Bat Cave, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.^[5][10] People were allowed to return to Chimney Rock on November 21, 10 days after they left. Firefighters who came mostly from the eastern part of the state had watched buildings in the towns while local fire departments covered their areas. Lake Lure was the headquarters for operations.^[11]

North Georgia fires

The Rough Ridge fire in the Cohutta Wilderness of Georgia, believed to have started from a lightning strike October 16, 2016,^[12] had burned almost 11,300 hectares (28,000 acres) by November 20, 2016, making it one of the largest fires ever in Georgia, and the largest current fire in the United States, and resulting in an air quality alert in Atlanta.^{[13][14][15][16]} The Rock Mountain fire was about 4,250 hectares (10,500 acres) as of November 20, 2016 and caused the evacuation of Dream Catcher Cover north of Tate City, Georgia.^[16]

East Tennessee fires

As of November 17, 2016, Tennessee Division of Forestry reported 64 fires that had burned 17,734 acres. The largest was in Morgan County in the White Oak Circle area covered about 1900 acres but was contained. Another on Neddy Mountain in Cocke County had burned 1116 acres but was mostly contained.^[17][18]

On November 28, the Chimney Tops 2 fire started in the Chimney Tops of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With the aid of strong winds and dry conditions, the fire quickly broke into multiple fires and spread across the mountains above and around Gatlinburg, Tennessee. By the evening hours the fire had reached the downtown area of Gatlinburg, resulting in the evacuation of over 14,000 people, along with causing damage in and around the town.^[19] By November 29, the wildfires had claimed at least three lives.^[20] An additional four people were later confirmed dead the next day.^[21]

See also

• Droughts in California

References