Pray for everyone involved. This is seriously scary... http://www.wbir.com/news/local/gatlinburg-neighborhood-voluntarily-evacuating-due-to-fire/357115866

Just checked the weather for the area.  Heres hoping they get the rain headed that way!

Reports from Valley Forge Inn state it started raining around 10 minutes ago.

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.

EDIT: Outdatedlink, nvm

Just heard from my friend that works at the park, there was a small fire near Dollywood's "Depot" which is the train shed/county fair area......fire is under control.



Edit: https://www.facebook.com/WVLT8/posts/10154757630244469

Edited November 29, 20169 yr by chugh43

To rain snow and end of fires

Statement about Dollywood: https://twitter.com/kchirbas/status/803451501335216128

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tennessee-mountain-resorts-gatlinburg-pigeon-forge-evacuated-wildfires-n689396

Goats on the roof on Fire, edge of Dollywood Property.

Here is a live cam feed of the Preserve Resort near Gatlinburg, you can see the orange glow in the distance. http://www.preservecabins.com/smoky-mountain-webcam-of-the-preserve-resort-in-the-great-smoky-mountains/ I tried to view the webcam on Space Needle in downtown Gatlingburg, but was it was down. Prayers to everyone involved.

I'm seeing video on Facebook that the Chalet Village area is completely engulfed at this point (search for Michael Luciano if you're interested - the videos contain adult language so I don't want to link to them here). Nothing has been posted officially from them at this time.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tennessee-mountain-resorts-gatlinburg-pigeon-forge-evacuated-wildfires-n689396

Goats on the roof on Fire, edge of Dollywood Property.

This what bothers me most- animals in the area.

I hope the rain quells the fires.

https://www.eagles.org/eagle-nest-cams/dollywood-nest-cam/

Speaking of animals....

The Eagles are still in the park and I am hoping that is water I see in the background of the webcam. Audio is separate.

I'm hopeful to assume they have measures to take when and if fires ever threaten the park. Im sure they will take care of the animals at Dollywood.

https://www.eagles.org/eagle-nest-cams/dollywood-nest-cam/

Speaking of animals....

The Eagles are still in the park and I am hoping that is water I see in the background of the webcam. Audio is separate.

listening to the audio, scary to hear fire in the backround

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."

Yeah that is scary hearing that uhg,  hoping and praying for everyone who's lost their homes, for Dollywood and the firefighters. 

WBIR reporting that Ober Gatlinburg survived the wildfire, and was not destroyed as reported initially. All wildlife there reportedly okay.

This breaks my heart. My family has been visiting that area for as long as I can remember. Thank God no deaths have been reported. 

The Eagles at Dollywood have been removed and evacuated https://www.eagles.org/eagle-nest-cams/dollywood-nest-cam/

Picture of DreamMore last night. Could not find the link of the original pic but it has the watermark of the original photographer. All I can say is wow

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The aquarium also is in dangeresponse.

So sad for the area...

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tennessee-mountain-resorts-gatlinburg-pigeon-forge-evacuated-wildfires-n689396

Goats on the roof on Fire, edge of Dollywood Property.

according to their Facebook, the coaster was not touched, and the goats are doing just fine 

Sorry, I was pulling from the story.

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.

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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.  

I was just there 3 days ago. I actually saw a wild fire near KY an TN border when we were driving down.

I am hopeful that recent rain will help although the heavy wind is very concerning. I hope everyone is safe.

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.

Makes me wonder if the media done it on purpose to increase ratings and/or clicks.

It's almost like there's not a crazy election to cover anymore.

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