[meyer]

Have they figured out what started these fires? Were they arson? Or worse jihad? Or was it lightning? Not knowing scares me and I live over a thousand miles away. God Be with them in their time of need.

Very extreme drought, a nearby fire on Chimney Tops mountain area, and some 80+ MPH winds. The wind was literally blowing huge embers several miles where they would light the dry leaves/wood all over the area. If I recall reading about it, the fire grew huge in a matter of 40-50 minutes.

[meyer]

The Chimney Tops fire, which was fairly small, was believed to be man-made. Not sure if it was deliberate or careless, but since there’s been a burn ban in effect for eastern Tennessee for weeks, even a campfire would have been illegal.