After nearly a week of battling the blazes that swept through the dry, mountainous landscape of the Great Smoky Mountains, the destructive blazes are mostly contained, authorities said Tuesday.
The Hatcher Mountain/Indigo Lane fire in Wears Valley that started March 30 is 100% contained. Nearly 2,500 acres have burned in the Great Smoky Mountains community popular with tourists.
Authorities have determined that the number of burned buildings is significantly lower than originally predicted. Now they say 219 structures have been hit.
After:Overwhelmed by flames, Smokies fire crews fled for their lives and left equipment behind
After:Lessons learned from the 2016 Gatlinburg fire likely saved lives in the 2022 fires
The Seymour Fire, which spanned nearly 1,000 acres and began April 1, is 90 percent contained. Two structures were set on fire.
Fire crews patrolled this weekend to put out hot spots before they could flare up again.
After:With the fire almost under control, the owners are beginning to take stock of the damage
The combination of high winds, dry ground and low relative humidity produced a dangerous fire weather situation, according to a report from the Morristown office of the National Weather Service. Numerous wildfires started and quickly spread through eastern Tennessee and southwestern Virginia due to these conditions.
After:Powerful storms cause home damage and power outages in eastern Tennessee
After:With 2016 ‘heavy’ on their minds, people leave their homes as Sevier County fires spread
Tennessee wildfire map
After:Dolly Parton says a prayer for East Tennessee as wildfires burn near her hometown
Photo and video: Forest fire in the Wears Valley
Includes reporting from Knox News Liz Keller, Natalie Parks and Becca Wright
Mel Fronczek is a digital producer for the USA TODAY Network —South Region.