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Wildfires forcing evacuations in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge


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I started a thread about this on the off-topic feed...but here's my post from that:

Mass evacuations for the Gatlinburg area currently.

http://www.knoxnews....dered/94535434/

Reports of several structures on fire, including the Park Vista Hotel.

Wind gusts hitting 50-60 mph, throwing embers on a chase starting other fires.

 

My stomach is churning over this.

 

 

Have a few friends that live in the area, one works for Dollywood.....as of right now, no confirmed fires in or around the park, per Dollywood HR.

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http://www.wbir.com/mb/news/local/fire-close-to-dollywood-dreammore-resort-cabins-evacuated/357499792

From near the end of the story:

"As of now they are safe and hanging out in their aviaries, albeit the air quality is not optimal. Eagle Mountain Sanctuary houses one of the largest collections of non-releasable Bald Eagles in the world. Firetrucks and first responders are protecting Dollywood and we hope to receive reports in the morning from Dollywood security as to whether it's safe to come evacuate them."

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Here is what local news is reporting as safe/destroyed:

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/gatlinburg-fires-whats-damaged-destroyed-and-intact/357891924

Dollywood still at this time is fine, as is Dreammore Resort.

The park will be closed through tomorrow with limited lodging available.

My friend has been in the park working on various things including preventative measures should fire come close to the park again.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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This is just a giant kick to the childhood for me.  I absolutely love hanging out in Gatlinburg, and now with Hillbilly Golf in ashes, its just heartbreaking, additionally so with the lives affected and the damage to the national park.  I hope this thing doesn't gut downtown Gatlinburg.  

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This is just a giant kick to the childhood for me. I absolutely love hanging out in Gatlinburg, and now with Hillbilly Golf in ashes, its just heartbreaking, additionally so with the lives affected and the damage to the national park. I hope this thing doesn't gut downtown Gatlinburg.

Although a giant shock, I don't think this fire was as devastating to the town as the media originally portrayed. Hillbilly golf is not in ashes. They confirmed that their greens suffered some damage but that the structures are all fine. Downtown has little damage. It was mainly buildings directly in the forested mountains that were destroyed, but even some, such as the Park Vista Hotel, managed to survive.

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