Remembering the Chimney Tops wildfires in Gatlinburg on fourth anniversary of blaze

This weekend marks the fourth anniversary of the tragic Chimney Tops wildfires in Gatlinburg and Sevier County that caused billions of dollars in damages and killed 14 people.

A tinderbox of drought conditions combined with winds estimated at nearly 90 miles per hour fueled the blaze that charred more than 17,000 acres, injured 190 people, and ranks among the deadliest natural disasters in Tennessee history.

Two juveniles were arrested in connection to the fires that originated in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park but a Sevier County district attorney dismissed the arson charges and concluded a clear link could not be discovered between the park blaze and the wildfires.

A ruling was made earlier this year in federal court that will allow a lawsuit filed by the families of the wildfire victims to continue. Judge Ronnie Greer said in his opinion the National Park Service had not produced sufficient evidence of fire suppression efforts to neighboring residents and businesses.

(IMAGE: National Park Service)