Study shows wildfires may be increasing in Tennessee with 122% rise in 2022

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Despite a recent bout of storms, much of Middle Tennessee has been considered to be in drought conditions this summer as record-breaking heat continues to scorch the area.

Across the U.S., record temperatures have increased the threat of wildfires, with a massive blaze in California recently charring more than 300,000 acres, and Texas firefighters battling one of the state’s largest wildfires on record earlier this year.

According to a recent study conducted by LendingTree , wildfires are up 17% annually, and while risk varies by state, annual losses are expected to reach upward of $1.4 billion.

California, Florida and Texas, remain the states with the highest wildfire risk, but the latest data from 2022 shows Tennessee has also seen a substantial increase in wildfires. That year, 1,225 wildfires were reported in the state — a 122.7% rise from the 550 fires that broke out in 2021.

It was the sixth highest increase among all states, with only seven other states seeing a more than 100% increase in wildfires between 2021 and 2022, according to LendingTree’s analysis of data from the Insurance Information Institute.

Despite typically having a wetter climate, much of East Tennessee was scorched by wildfires in 2022. Nearly 400, or around 32%, of the wildfires reported that year were in the eastern part of the state.

A spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry told News 2’s sister station WATE as many acres burned in 2022 as the past four years combined.

Two fires that broke out in late March in Sevier County and Blount County, including the blaze dubbed the Hatcher Mountain fire , burned over 3,400 acres and impacted 221 structures, prompting Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to issue an executive order declaring a major disaster.

A state investigation determined the two fires were started by downed powerlines and exacerbated by high winds. Sevier County Emergency Management estimated the total cost of damage to livable structures from both wildfires at $65 million.

By fall, firefighters were busy again as more than a dozen wildfires broke out in the region. The TDF said its crews had responded to at least 30 new wildfires by Nov. 10. The causes varied from a vehicle sparking a brush fire to a person burning debris without a permit.

While the latest Drought Monitor issued Thursday morning still shows much of Tennessee in drought conditions, more rainfall is expected in August. The TDF began taking proactive measures to confront the wildfire season earlier this year, beginning with two large-scale wildfire training events — one of which was held in Nashville .

According to LendingTree home insurance expert and licensed insurance agent Rob Bhatt, homeowners in risky areas should ensure they have an evacuation plan in place in the event of an emergency. To view LendingTree’s full study on wildfire risks, click here .

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