The Tennessee emergency management agency (Tema) Emergency officials ordered evacuations in downtown Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and other areas of Sevier County near the Great Smoky Mountains. There were about 1,200 people sheltering at the Gatlinburg Community Center and the Rocky Top Sports Park, officials added. The fire reached the local Dollywood theme park, in the east Tennessee town of Pigeon Forge, and guests in neighboring cabins were forced to evacuate. Parton is a native of Sevier County, Tennessee, which includes Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge, according to historical documents on the park’s website. East Tennessee Red Cross called on people to avoid Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains area as emergency services evacuated those towns.

Source: The Guardian November 29, 2016 16:10 UTC