On the evening of November 28th, 2016, a wildfire that originated inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park swept through its neighboring communities of Gatlinburg, Wears Valley, and Pigeon Forge.
Hundreds of buildings were damaged or destroyed in this tragedy. Thankfully, in the wake of the fire, the outpouring of concern and support for the Smoky Mountains has been overwhelming.
We at Cabins USA are sincerely grateful for the incredible response to the Smoky Mountains during this time of need. As the Smoky Mountains region comes together to overcome the fire, here are the things that we are thankful for.
Cabins USA is Open For Business Cabins USA and nearly all of our properties have made it through the fire unscathed. We are open for business and are committed now more than ever to providing our guests with a quality Smoky Mountain vacation experience. We are thankful to have this opportunity and look forward to providing the best cabin rentals in the Smokies for many years to come.
The Great Smoky Mountains Are Still Beautiful
While there's no denying that the fire was a major event, it is also true that the wildfire only burned in a small section of the national park near Gatlinburg. In fact, it's estimated that only 3% of the national park was affected by the fire.
Even in places where the fire swept through, the affected area is spotty and irregular. Based on images from impacted areas in the national park, it appears as though the fire mostly burned on the forest floor.
Though wildfires may appear destructive, they are really a natural part of this ecosystem. The beautiful trees of the Smokies are intact and burned areas of the forest typically thrive after a wildfire, because the fire enriches the soil with nutrients.
Since the fire only burned on the forest floor, it may be impossible to tell that there was a fire at all in a few months time.
The Smoky Mountains Are Still Fun
While this event was far reaching, you may be surprised by what you see when you visit the Smokies. Nearly all of the areas you would normally go on a Smoky Mountain vacation show no signs of the fire.
Popular areas like Downtown Gatlinburg and the Pigeon Forge Parkway were virtually untouched by the fire. All of the major attractions in the Smokies received no damage during this event. Thankfully, we can all continue enjoying trips to these popular attractions:
Dollywood
Dollywood Splash Country
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Ober Gatlinburg
The Gatlinburg Space Needle
Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery
The Island
Dixie Stampede
The Village Shops
Tanger Outlets
The Historic Old Mill
Sweet Fanny Adams Theater
The Titanic Museum
And More!
Everything that you love about the Smokies, the national park, the hiking trails, the attractions, and the restaurants, are all still here for you to enjoy!
How Can You Help
In the aftermath of the fire, we've seen many caring individuals give their time, skills, and resources to help our community rebuild.
If you're looking for a way to help, consider donating to the Gatlinburg Fire Relief Fund operated by the local Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce.
Another excellent way to help the Smoky Mountains is to plan a Smoky Mountain vacation! Tourism is the most important industry in this region and our community is eager to get back to serving visitors from all over the country. In reality, the best way to help the Smoky Mountains recover from the fire is to come visit.
Since most of the Smoky Mountains were untouched by the fire, you won't regret it. In the aftermath of this event, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is still beautiful and all of your favorite attractions are here to enjoy. Our community is strong and work is already underway to make the Smoky Mountains rise from the ashes.
Cabins USA is currently offering discount rates on select cabin rentals. To start your getaway, visit our website to view hundreds of cabin rentals or contact our reservations office at (800) 583-6168 for a Smoky Mountain vacation you won't soon forget!
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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