Abbott v. United States of America (JRG1)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE AT KNOXVILLE PAUL W. ABBOTT, et al., ) ) Plaintiffs, ) ) v. ) No. 3:20–CV–149 ) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) ) Defendant. ) MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER I. Introduction On November 28, 2016, the Chimney Tops 2 Fire (“Fire”), the largest wildfire in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s (“Park”) history, left the Park’s boundaries, burned the surrounding areas, and led to tragic losses of life and significant property damage. The Fire and the events leading up to the Fire’s movement outside of the Park are at the…