GATLINBURG, Tenn.— The City of Gatlinburg and Sevier County Government will commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Chimney Tops 2 Wildfires with a Gathering of Remembrance, on Saturday, November 28, 2026, which will honor the memory of the 14 individuals who tragically lost their lives during the tragedy.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will begin at 10 a.m. at Mynatt Park in Gatlinburg. The ceremony will provide an opportunity for the community to reflect on the lives lost, remember those whose lives were forever changed, and pay tribute to the first responders and emergency personnel who answered the call during the wildfires on the night of November 28, 2016.
In addition to remembering the victims, the ceremony will recognize the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of the first responders and emergency personnel who worked tirelessly to protect lives and property during the wildfires. The commemoration will also acknowledge the extraordinary outpouring of support from volunteers, charitable organizations, businesses, and individuals who came together in the days, weeks, and months that followed to assist those affected and support the community's recovery.
The ceremony will take place at Mynatt Park, which is the site of Chimney Tops 2 Wildfires Memorial and Tribute Plaza, which was officially dedicated in June 2023. The Memorial and Tribute Plaza serves as a permanent place of remembrance for the 14 individuals who lost their lives in the wildfires, while also paying tribute to the first responders, agencies, organizations, and individuals who assisted during the disaster and subsequent recovery efforts.
In addition to the ceremony at Mynatt Park in Gatlinburg, the 1896 bell atop the historic Sevier County Courthouse will ring a solemn toll at 10 a.m. in memory of the 14 victims which perished in the wildfires.
Parking and Transportation Information
Public parking at Mynatt Park will be limited on the day of the ceremony.
To accommodate attendees, the City of Gatlinburg will provide complimentary shuttle transportation to and from Mynatt Park. Shuttle service will be available from Gatlinburg Fire Department Station No. 2, located at 309 Reagan Drive, beginning at 9:15 a.m. Return transportation will also be provided following the conclusion of the ceremony.
Members of the public planning to attend are asked to utilize the shuttle service and arrive early to allow sufficient time for transportation to the ceremony site.
The City of Gatlinburg and Sevier County Government invite the community to join together on this solemn anniversary remembrance to honor the 14 lives lost, remember the lasting impact of those who responded in the aftermath of the Chimney Tops 2 Wildfires, and reaffirm a shared commitment to ensuring that those who perished are never forgotten.