Tennessee wildfires ravage area

By BRADY WOYAK

The Mirror reporter

Wildfires destroy thousands of acres of land and forests each year. Many people get their homes and belongings destroyed in the flames. The most recent wildfire is the one in Tennessee.

A wildfire abruptly starting in steep rugged peak known as Chimney Tops in Gatlinburg, Tennessee on Nov. 23.

Authorities have made two arrests, both teens who are suspected to have started the wildfire. They will be charged with aggravated arson.

High winds of 87 miles per hour winds and months of suffocating drought helped spread the fire quickly and violently. The area got nearly 24 hours of rain later that week, putting out most of the fire.

More than 14,000 people had to evacuate the Gatlinburg area. More than 1,600 structures were destroyed or damaged in the flames. This is known to be the biggest wildfire in Tennessee in the last 100 years.

Not only did the wildfire take out homes and businesses but it also took much of the wildlife in that area. Many animals and wild game had to run for their lives from the flames but not all got away.

This massive fire destructed 18,000 acers of land.

The fire weakened trees making them fall on power lines causing them to fall and make more of an uproar.

This wildfire has killed 14 people and injured more than 130 people. Over 600 firefighters and Tennessee National Guard members assisted with recovering lost or missing people after the destruction.

It is believed that this fire was human-caused but it doesn’t mean it is intentional arson. It may have been accidentally set. Experts are still gathering details.