In November of 2016, a massive outbreak of wildfires broke out in the southern Appalachian Mountains. A combination of record drought conditions, winds, and many other factors kept the fires burning longer than normal, scorching nearly 80,000+ acres (or more) across the region. Not only were the forests destroyed in the wake of the fires, but the air quality of the surrounding areas reached dangerous levels as the smoke drifted as far south as Atlanta, GA. Many of the fires were caused by arson and spread quickly due to the dry conditions and heavy winds. Firefighters from across the country, totaling nearly 4,000 personnel, were dispatched throughout the south to fight one of the worst outbreaks of wildfires in US history.

Photograph Copyright Cathy Anderson, All Rights Reserved.