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Tennessee wildfires threaten Dolly Parton theme park Country music star Dolly Parton 'heartbroken' over wildfires
(about 7 hours later)
Mandatory evacuations are under way in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, after wildfires set many houses and a hotel ablaze. Country music star Dolly Parton says she is "heartbroken" over wildfires that have broken out in her resort hometown near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
The fires also threatened Dollywood, a theme park owned by the county music icon and actress Dolly Parton, and an aquarium housing thousands of animals. Mandatory evacuations are under way there as wildfires have set hundreds of buildings ablaze.
There are fears that a storm system approaching the area will fan the flames, and that the forecast rain will not be enough to quell them. Several southern states are battling wind-fuelled wildfires after months of drought.
Several southern states are battling wildfires after months of drought. The fires also threatened Dollywood, a theme park owned by Ms Parton, and an aquarium housing thousands of animals.
The wildfires, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, are reportedly growing increasingly unpredictable and dangerous. "I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken," Mrs Parton said.
The Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge has evacuated guests from some of its properties, but so far no structures have been damaged, a spokesperson said. "I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe."
Ms Parton also appeared in a public service advertisement on Sunday, asking people nearby to take steps to prevent spreading the fire.
The wildfires, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, are reportedly being spread by winds gusting over 80mph (128km/h).
The Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge has evacuated guests from some of its properties, with several cabins and vacation structures being damaged, a spokesperson said.
National Guard troops began arriving early on Tuesday morning to help battle the blaze.
What is a firenado?What is a firenado?
Wildfires- Why they start and how they can be stoppedWildfires- Why they start and how they can be stopped
Thousands of people have been evacuated so far, but no deaths have been reported.
Several people have been burned, emergency officials said in a news release.
The Great Smoky Mountain national park sent out warnings on social media to avoid the area.The Great Smoky Mountain national park sent out warnings on social media to avoid the area.
There is concern for more than 10,000 animals at an aquarium in Gatlinburg after all employees were evacuated.There is concern for more than 10,000 animals at an aquarium in Gatlinburg after all employees were evacuated.
The building is still standing, but "workers are anxious to return to check on the animals", the general manager of Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Ryan DeSears told local media.The building is still standing, but "workers are anxious to return to check on the animals", the general manager of Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Ryan DeSears told local media.
Facebook has activated its safety check feature.Facebook has activated its safety check feature.
A new storm system is predicted to bring high winds, which authorities say could topple dead trees and could pose a threat to firefighters. But the rainfall due to come with the weather system is not expected to end the drought.A new storm system is predicted to bring high winds, which authorities say could topple dead trees and could pose a threat to firefighters. But the rainfall due to come with the weather system is not expected to end the drought.
"It's way too early to say 'Yes, this drought is over,'" said Mark Svoboda, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center in Nebraska. "Does it put a dent in it? Yes, but we have a long ways to go." "It's way too early to say, 'yes, this drought is over,'" said Mark Svoboda, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center in Nebraska.
"Does it put a dent in it? Yes, but we have a long ways to go."
Neighbouring Georgia as well as North and South Carolina are battling wildfires too.Neighbouring Georgia as well as North and South Carolina are battling wildfires too.