Massive Fire Engulfs Tennessee Amusement Park

Flames destroy two large barns at SkyLand Ranch, but all animals safely evacuated

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A large fire broke out early Friday morning at the SkyLand Ranch amusement park in Sevierville, Tennessee, destroying two large barns on the property. Police and firefighters rushed to the scene and were able to evacuate all of the animals safely, with no injuries reported to first responders or the animals.

Why it matters

The SkyLand Ranch is a popular tourist attraction in the Smoky Mountains region, offering rides, animal encounters, and other family-friendly activities. The fire has caused significant damage to the park's facilities, raising concerns about the park's ability to reopen and operate in the near future, which could impact the local tourism economy.

The details

According to the Sevierville city government, the fire was reported around 2:20 a.m. local time on Friday, February 13th. Police officers and passersby spotted the flames, and firefighters arrived to find two large barns fully engulfed. The firefighters worked to contain the fires and protect surrounding buildings while also evacuating the animals from the park. No first responders or animals were injured in the incident.

  • The fire was reported around 2:20 a.m. local time on Friday, February 13th.
  • Firefighters arrived on the scene shortly after the initial report.

The players

SkyLand Ranch

A 100-acre amusement park in Sevierville, Tennessee that offers rides, miniature animal encounters, and other family-friendly activities in the Smoky Mountains region.

Sevierville Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the fire at SkyLand Ranch and worked to contain the flames and evacuate the animals.

Sevierville and Gatlinburg Police Departments

The local police departments that were nearby when the fire broke out and helped with the initial response.

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What they’re saying

“ANIMALS ARE SAFE!! NO INJURIES! Thank you to all the Sevierville and Sevier County Fire Departments and Sheriff Department for their swift response and help this morning.”

— SkyLand Ranch (SkyLand Ranch Facebook page)

What’s next

The fire chief stated that the damaged barns will likely need to be knocked down, and additional heaters will be brought in to keep the animals warm as the park works to recover from the incident.

The takeaway

This fire serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and emergency preparedness, especially for businesses that operate in high-traffic tourist areas. The quick response and evacuation efforts by first responders likely prevented further damage and loss.