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Country music star Dolly Parton 'heartbroken' over wildfires Country music star Dolly Parton 'heartbroken' over deadly wildfires
(35 minutes later)
Country music star Dolly Parton says she is "heartbroken" over wildfires that have broken out in her resort hometown near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Country music star Dolly Parton says she is "heartbroken" over wildfires that have claimed three lives near her Tennessee resort hometown.
Mandatory evacuations are under way there as wildfires have set hundreds of buildings ablaze. Mandatory evacuations are under way around Gatlinburg as wildfires have set hundreds of buildings ablaze.
The fires also threaten Dollywood, a theme park owned by Parton, and an aquarium housing thousands of animals.
Several southern states are battling wind-fuelled wildfires after months of drought.Several southern states are battling wind-fuelled wildfires after months of drought.
The fires also threatened Dollywood, a theme park owned by Ms Parton, and an aquarium housing thousands of animals. "I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken," Parton said.
"I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken," Mrs Parton said.
"I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe.""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. Dollywood, in the mountain town of Pigeon Forge, has evacuated guests from some of its properties, with several cabins and vacation structures being damaged, a spokesman said.
The wildfires, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, are reportedly being spread by winds gusting over 80mph (128km/h). Parton, 70, had appeared in a public service advertisement on Sunday, asking people nearby to take steps to prevent spreading the fire.
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. Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that three people had died, but he did not provide further details.
The conflagration in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains was being spread by winds gusting over 80mph (128km/h).
National Guard troops began arriving early on Tuesday morning to help battle the blaze.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. Thousands of people have been evacuated so far.
Several people have been burned, emergency officials said in a news release. The Great Smoky Mountains 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 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."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.""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.