Dollywood Threatened By Fires
Out-of-control wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains of Eastern Tennessee have forced evacuations in Gatlinburg, TN, and the surrounding region, and are threatening popular tourism sites in the area.
Monday night, the Sevier County Emergency Management Agency ordered an evacuation of Gatlinburg and nearby communities as fires engulfed more than 500 acres. The fires could be seen Monday night adjacent to one of the parking lots at Dollywood, in Pidgeon Forge, TN, about eight miles outside of Gatlinburg. Guest cabins at the park have been evacuated and closed, though there were no reports of any fire damage as of press time.
Smaller resorts were either reported damaged or closed as fires raged nearby. Video footage from the 16-story Park Vista Hotel showed flames outside hotel windows as guests remained in the building Tuesday morning.
News reports estimated more than 100 homes were destroyed and one person was injured. Over 1,000 people have been forced from their homes into shelters.
