2016 Southeastern United States wildfires
| Southeastern United States Wildfires of 2016 | |
|---|---|
The Rough Ridge Fire burning in the Cohutta Wilderness
|
|
| Location |
Alabama Georgia North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee |
| Statistics | |
| Date(s) | October 23, 2016 – present (EDT) |
| Burned area | At least 80,000 acres (32,000 ha) |
| Cause | Several fires suspected to have been caused by arson |
| Buildings destroyed |
400+ |
| Fatalities | 14 |
| Injuries | ~74 |
 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 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).
Firefighters from 21 states 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. 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, 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.
As of December 8, even after rain, much of Georgia and Alabama continued to be in exceptional drought, while Tennessee and the western Carolinas were in extreme drought.
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.
...
Wikipedia