'It's the apocalypse': Burned out remains of Gatlinburg after thousands flee resort Tennessee towns as massive wildfire destroys homes and hotels and threatens Dollywood 

• e-mail

Grim photos show the burned out remains of small town Gatlinburg as thousands were forced to flee the resort town after a massive wildfire destroyed homes, hotels and had threatened to burn down the Dollywood theme park.

Thousands of residents and visitors in the Gatlinburg area were evacuated from the Great Smoky Mountains, and hundreds of structures have been damaged and destroyed by the fire which is the worse to hit the area in decades as of Tuesday.  

'The center of Gatlinburg looks good for now,' Newmansville Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Bobby Balding told the Knoxville News Sentinel on Tuesday. 'It's the apocalypse on both sides (of downtown).'

Gatlinburg mayor Mike Werner said Tuesday that half of the city was impacted by the blaze, but the downtown area is intact and that they will rebuild the city.

Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller says 12 people have been injured in the wildfires in the Gatlinburg area, most with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Three people who suffered burns while trying to flee have been transferred from a Knoxville hospital to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, which has a burn unit. A fourth person is being treated for facial burns in Knoxville. There have been no missing people or deaths reported associated with the fire.

Miller said the fire spread Monday night by winds that at times exceeded 87 miles per hour.

'This is one for the history books,' Miller said at a morning news conference. 'The likes of this has never been seen. But the worst is definitely over with.'

He added that about 14 buildings remain ablaze in the city, as most of them are smoldering. Firefighters are going door to door in the city to make sure no one has been overlooked.

Officials say about 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone, and portions of Dollywood have been evacuated as wind speeds top 70 miles per hour in some parts of Tennessee, which has been hit by the worst drought in nearly a decade.

More than a dozen cabins operated by the park have been damaged or destroyed in the blaze. Resort staff evacuated families staying in 50 rooms at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and in 19 of Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Cabins.

In a statement released Tuesday by her publicists, Parton said she's been watching the 'terrible fires' in the Great Smoky Mountains. 

Scroll down for video 

Destroyed: Two of the dormitories at Arrowmont School are damaged from the wildfires around Gatlinburg on Tuesday after the wildfire ripped through the area. 

Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennesse

A building structure at the Arrowmont School in Gatlinburg is pictured above on Tuesday still burning

A structure and a car are pictured above on Tuesday completely damaged from the wildfires around Gatlinburg

A separate burned out car and building is pictured above on Tuesday in Gatlinburg after the blaze ripped through the area

Above a forestry crew from South Dakota cleans up on Tuesday after wildfires burned multiple business and homes in Gatlinburg

The crew is working to clear trees and branches while trying to prevent the flames from spreading on Tuesday

Empty foundations are pictured above on Tuesday destroyed from the wildfires around Gatlinburg 

The mayor of Gatlinburg said Tuesday that half of the city was impacted by the blaze, but the downtown area is intact. Pictured above is a home and car destroyed from the fire on Tuesday

Officials estimate that more than 100 structures have been destroyed or damaged from the blaze. Above multiple burned business and vehicles along Cherokee Orchard Road in Gatlinburg are pictured Tuesday

Hotel and customers vehicles were completely burned in the out of control wild fire. Pictured above is destroyed multiple business and homes in Gatlinburg on Tuesday

Out of control wild fires have burned part of The Riverhouse Motor Lodge (above on Tuesday) in Gatlinburg

Downtown Gatlinburg is pictured above looking like a ghost town on Tuesday after people were evacuated

The  mayor of the town said on Tuesday that the downtown area (above on Tuesday) was not damaged by the fire

'I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe,' she said.

'It is a blessing that my Dollywood theme park, the DreamMore Resort and so many businesses in Pigeon Forge have been spared.' 

Dollywood has suspended park operations at least through Wednesday, but DreamMore will be open on a limited basis as a shelter and for registered guests. 

Parton is scheduled to appear on NBC's 'The Voice' on Tuesday night, her representatives had previously announced. 

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) says hundreds of firefighters as well as local and state personnel and National Guard troops have been sent in to help fight the blaze and check on people. 

TEMA estimates that more than 150 homes and structures have also been destroyed or damaged by flames, as they say there is 'little hope' for relief anytime soon. 

Gatlinburg is a small mountain town where people can enter the 520,000 acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  

Structures in Gaitlenburg are pictured above still burning on Tuesday as the wildfire has forced thousands of residents to flee their homes

The massive blaze caused more than 14,000 people to evacuate, as firefighters have worked through the night trying to control the fire. An official said on Tuesday about 14 buildings remain ablaze in the city

Officials say more than 100 homes and structures have been destroyed or damaged in the wildfire. Firefighters are going door to door in the city to make sure no one has been overlooked

The spreading Tennessee wildfires in the resort towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is the worst to hit the areas in decades. Above the wildfire is pictured on The Chimney Tops in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Tuesday

Officials say the blaze has caused the area in Gaitlinburg to resemble the 'apocalypse.' Above Tennessee State Troopers walk into areas surrounded by fire on Tuesday to remove those residents who were trapped

The Dollywood theme park, created by renowned singer Dolly Parton, evacuated on Monday due to the wildfire. Above she is pictured above alongside Smokey the Bear for a video released on Sunday urging people to prevent forest fires

Storms approaching the the nearly 28,000-acre Rough Ridge Fire in north Georgia and the nearly 25,000-acre Rock Mountain Fire burning on both sides of the Georgia-North Carolina line have signaled some hope for firefighters who are trying to put them out on Tuesday

Officials say about 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone, and the popular Dollywood theme park has also closed due to the dangerous blaze had spread near the area from Pigeon Forge 

TEMA reported that the Ober Gatlinburg amusement park and ski area is fine after the agency previously received reports that the facility was likely destroyed.

Preliminary surveys indicate that the fires have wiped out the more than 100 buildings of the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa, as well as a 16-story hotel. In addition, Black Bear Falls was believed to have lost every cabin.

Officials with the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies say they have a team of biologists inside the facility and that all of the 10,000 fish and other animals are safe. 

Aquarium officials say police escorted an 'emergency team' back into the facility to check on the animals Tuesday.

The aquarium will remain closed until the evacuation orders are lifted. Officials say more than 2 million people visit the aquarium each year.  

TEMA said schools in Green, McMinn and Sevier counties will be closed Tuesday, and more than 12,000 people in Sevier County were without power as of early Tuesday morning.

Storms approaching the the nearly 28,000-acre Rough Ridge Fire in north Georgia and the nearly 25,000-acre Rock Mountain Fire burning on both sides of the Georgia-North Carolina line have signaled some hope for firefighters who are trying to put the blaze out Tuesday. 

Many trees have fallen in the area blocking roads which has prevented some residents from being able to evacuate safely on their own from the wildfire. Above troopers help people leave safely Tuesday morning

Above Tennessee State Troopers troopers help people and their pets leave safely Tuesday morning as the dangerous fire is just feet away from them

Due to trees falling and blocking roads, Tennessee State Troopers still in their uniform used their personal chainsaws to clear those trees on Tuesday morning

Above the orange sky from the flames is pictured on Tuesday as many structures in Gatlinburg have been damaged or destroyed from the blaze

Officials say thousands of residents and visitors in the Gatlinburg area were evacuated from the Great Smoky Mountains on Tuesday. Above fire officials walk along a road as an SUV evacuates the area on Tuesday morning 

However, high winds coming with the storms could cause many dead trees and branches to fall in the burning forests, which could pose a threat to firefighters.

Blackhawk helicopters from the McGhee-Tyson airbase have flown to Gatlinburg to conduct water airdrops on Tuesday. 

Officials say there are about 1,200 people sheltering at the Gatlinburg Community Center and the Rocky Top Sports Park. 

Several other shelters have opened to house those forced from their homes. TV broadcasts showed residents streaming out of town just as rain started to wet roads.

On Monday just after 6pm, motorists clogged the roads after the  Gatlinburg Fire Department ordered the mandatory evacuation of the town. 

Strong wind conditions fanned the flames and embers across long distances, which started smaller fires that quickly spread through the drought-stricken trees. The winds also caused power lines to fall, which started new fires, authorities said.  

'Everything was like a perfect storm,' said Cassius Cash, superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to CNN affiliate WATE.  

Terrifying video shot from the Gatlinburg Park Vista Hilton Hotel on Monday appeared to show flames just outside the windows, as guests huddled together inside.

Witnesses reported that dozens of people were trapped inside the hotel which was surrounded by flames, but it's unclear if people are still trapped inside as of Tuesday morning.

Hotel guest Logan Baker, who is staying at the Hilton with his family, said that the 16-story building began filling with smoke as fire came up and into the parking lot on Monday. 

Gatlinburg Area Fire Update Sevier County, City of Gatlinburg, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have reported widespread fire damage and continued fire activity throughout the area. Flames are pictured above on Monday night

Flames are see through the window of Gatlinburg Park Vista Hilton Hotel as terrified guests gathered inside on Monday

Thousands have been evacuated and tourists fled the area as wildfires rip through Eastern Tennessee on Monday

'The only road to get down from the hotel, trees had fallen down in the road and were just engulfed in flames,' he told WATE, in a phone call from the hotel on Monday. 'Then the flames came up into the parking lot and then told us we all had stay inside.' 

Baker said it was difficult to breathe as smoke and embers came into the hotel through faulty emergency doors.

Eventually firefighters were able to barricade the doors as guests opened out the top floor windows to let the smoke escape. It's unclear if guests have been able to leave the hotel as of Tuesday.

A nearby apartment complex was also completely engulfed by flames, authorities report. 

The Gatlinburg building inspector also told Local News 8 that an elementary school and a college were also destroyed by the fire.

Pi Beta Phi Elementary School has not been destroyed, despite earlier reports from officials.

The Gatlinburg Fire Department ordered the mandatory evacuation of the town as wind conditions made the fires increasingly unpredictable and dangerous on Monday

Multiple fires began after the strong winds sent fallen trees into power lines, authorities said on Monday

The wildfire also set 30 buildings ablaze there and was at the edge of Dollywood, Dolly Parton's theme park, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency spokesman Dean Flener said in a news release on Monday. 

Staff at the park, based in the neighboring mountain town Pigeon Forge, had pitched in to help firefighters keep flames from threatening Dollywood. 

Parton released a public service announcement on Sunday urging visitors and residents of the region to exercise caution when handling fire, even as the blaze was nearing her iconic theme park.

'I love these Smoky Mountains that I call home, and I know you do too. Help protect their beauty and prevent human-caused wild fires,' Parton, 70, says in the ad.

Her 295-acre amusement resort is one of the region's most popular draws with rides and musical events that sometimes include appearances by Parton and her family.

Parton is a native of Sevier County, Tennessee, which includes both Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge, according to historical documents on the park's website. 

 Video shot on Monday evening and posted on Facebook reveals how close the flames are to the hotel which guests say was filled with smoke and embers until firefighters were able to barricade the doors

In the mid-1980s, Parton partnered with the Herschend family who ran the park, then known as Silver Dollar City. It opened under the new name of Dollywood in 1986.

Residents who were forced to evacuate have shared how scary it was fleeing their homes as the fire quickly spread due to high winds.  

'(The sky) was brown,' Pigeon Forge resident Katie Brittian told Knox News. 'Ash has been falling from the sky since 3am.' 

Sharon Pinyan said she was evacuated from Gatlinburg when, 'a car behind us caught on fire due to the flames jumping the road.'

Sara Gentry, of Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg, said that her four children and she, were able to go to her sister's home in Dandridge after they were evacuated.

But she said friends of hers have watched their own homes get destroyed by the fire.

Witnesses report that dozens of people were trapped inside the Hilton Hotel which was surrounded by flames on Monday (pictured before the wildfire) 

Hotel guest Logan Baker, who is staying at the Hilton (pictured before the blaze) with his family, said that the 16-story building began filling with smoke as fire came up and into the parking lot on Monday

Flames are seen on the mountainside from the window of a passing car as wildfires rip through the Smoky Mountains on Monday

The wildfire ripped through the trees and up the mountainside until it was at the doors of the Gatlinburg residents on Monday

'This one girl was driving down Ski Mountain (Road) and watching her home burn,' Gentry said. 'My kids' friends have lost their homes. It's just awful.' 

Others report wooden cabins ablaze and some properties literally exploded in flames, witnesses say.

As the wildfires continue to burn, thousands of tourists and residents alike spent the night in shelters located in the Pigeon Forge area.

'Three county school buses are available for emergency transport and are being dispatched as needed to transport those who need to evacuate,' fire spokeswoman Trish McGee told USA Today on Monday.

Phil Campbell, facilities manager at the LeConte Event Center in Pigeon Forge, said his center had already taken in around 400 people.

Two Gatlinburg residents donned masks to protect themselves against the thick smoke from the forest fires around Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Monday

Thick smoke obscured the roads in Gatlinburg on Monday afternoon as the wildfires grew closer

'We knew we had power here and some places were losing power. We knew we had restrooms and water and a safe place to house people and give them a place to go – that's why we opened up,' he said. 

Multiple fires began after the strong winds sent fallen trees into power lines, authorities said. 

The Division of Forestry had reported on Sunday that the majority of wildfires in the area were completely contained as authorities were expecting a reprieve from the tinderbox conditions on Monday and Tuesday where more than two inches of rain were predicted to fall.

Unfortunately, the rain failed to fall, and strong winds have the flames to private property.

'The wind is not helping, and the rain is not here yet,' Gatlinburg Fire Department Chief Greg Miller said. 'These are the worst possible conditions imaginable.' 

The National Park Service has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the area due to the smoke. 

Smoke engulfs the Smoky Mountains while the National Park Service issued an Air Quality Advisory for the area 

Strong winds blew the smoke and fire towards the mountain towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg  on Monday

Tourists stop at the roadside to watch the thick white smoke billowing up from the mountains on Monday

Helicopter crews joined the fire fighting effort as they attempted to extinguish the blaze from their air on Monday

Local schools have now cancelled tomorrow's classes while park employees were evacuated from the area. Popular tourist routes have also been shutdown amidst the wildfires.   

This is the second fire reported at Great Smoky Mountains National Park within a week. The first began at the Chimney Tops area and has spread across 500 acres.

Miller asked for patience and prayers for the communities involved during a press conference.

'We urge the public to pray,' Miller told reporters. 'We urge the public to stay off the highways. The traffic that is on the roads is emergency equipment. If (the public) could just stay home and stay tuned to their local media outlet.'

But forecasters are hoping the Tuesday storm will provide a new hope for firefighters trying to extinguish the flames.

Early on Tuesday, the storms appeared to be taking aim at the nearly 28,000-acre Rough Ridge Fire in north Georgia and the nearly 25,000-acre Rock Mountain Fire that began in Georgia and then spread deep into North Carolina.

Staff at Dollywood - the theme park owned by country music star Dolly Parton - pitched in to help firefighters keep flames from threatening the park

The park released a statementstating that so far, no damage has been reported at the park, although some hotel guests were evacuated (the park's namesake on a Dollywood ride in 1993)

The rain forecast 'puts the bull's-eye of the greatest amounts right at the bull's-eye of where we've been having our greatest activity,' said Dave Martin, deputy director of operations for fire and aviation management with the southern region of the U.S. Forest Service.

The projected rainfall amounts 'really lines up with where we need it,' Martin said Monday. 'We're all knocking on wood.'

After weeks of punishing drought, any rain that falls should be soaked up quickly, forecasters said. It will provide some relief but won't end the drought - or the fire threat, they said.  

More rain was expected Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. 

Tennessee's Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for maintaining the state's forests, said Tuesday there are 47 active fires that so far have consumed nearly 15,000 acres.