November 7, 2023

Good Morning,

We’ll put it simply…Southern Appalachia needs rain. East Tennessee is experiencing an extreme drought, for the last several days Sevier County has been under a High Fire Danger alert, and as of last night GSMNP issued a temporary ban on all campfires in the backcountry. Just on Mt. LeConte we’ve received little liquid precip over the last two months, but plenty of locations elsewhere across the region have seen even less. To do our part at the lodge in minimizing the risk of human-caused fires, we have temporarily removed all kerosene lanterns from guest cabins. Fires of any kind are strictly prohibited across Mt. LeConte, which most definitely includes the nearby backcountry shelter. All visitors are expected to bring their own flashlights as it is, but until climate conditions improve, overnight guests will not be able to rely on the ambiance of those lanterns at this time.

Anyone who visited the park yesterday would have certainly noticed the deteriorating air quality due to various wildfires actively burning in surrounding states. The biggest culprit to the intense smells and haziness happening in the Smokies yesterday appears to be the ~2,200 acre Collet Ridge Fire occurring near Andrews, NC. There are also some smaller wildfires burning in nearby Anderson County, TN. As winds continue to shift from south and west these next few days, the air quality and visibility will continue to be negatively affected until the wildfires cease.

These unseasonably warm temps we’re experiencing will continue a few more days, in which the mountain could see 60° today and tomorrow. In the lowlands, highs of 80° are even forecast. Winds will be a regular presence, with gusts up to 30mph at times. Humidity will remain low, making the air feel drier than folks from the South are used to. Anyone with respiratory health concerns should use caution if choosing to hike while the air is so smoky. As it stands, our next chance of rain isn’t expected until late Thursday into Friday. Until that much needed precip arrives, please join us and the NPS in minimizing risks associated with fires in our beloved park. And as always, if you notice reckless or suspicious behavior that could endanger yourself or others while visiting the backcountry, please report it to authorities immediately. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Have a great day.