Dangerous Fires in East Tennessee

United States
November 29, 2016 8:27am CST
I watch the news about fires in other parts of the country and I cry and pray. Right now I am crying and praying for the Smokey Mountians, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and all the people whose lives will be forever changed. We lived just a few miles from Dollywood when we first move here. Well, right now Dolly's brand new hotel is very close to the fire, quests have been evacuated. Fire is all around Dollywood, but so far it's safe. Many resorts in Gatlinburg are gone...stores in downtown are damaged or gone. It's hard to wrap my arms around it, it's one of our favorite places to visit. I was just online last week looking to see if our favorite rental cabin was available because I felt like I needed a Pigeon Forge fix....that won't happen now. If you know anything about the area the Parkway is closed at Light #8. You can't go any further south from there. Fire crews from all over, including out little county, are there helping - doing what they can. Ash and smoke fill the area north of the fires and we can only pray the wind lets up. According to the news there were wind gusts of up to 80 mph yesterday. The fire developed fast, faster than anyone imagined and that's why people literally fled for their lives. Most of the homes and resorts are on winding, twisting mountain roads with only one way out. There were reports of people fleeing and their tires melted. I think it will be days before we fully grasp all that has been lost. I ask you all to pray - pray that the fires can be put under control before any more loss. Pray for rain, pray for the firefighters, just pray. My neck of the woods, where my heart is, is on fire.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency says officials in the Gatlinburg area estimate that about 100 homes have been damaged or destroyed by flames from spreading wildfires.
11 people like this
12 responses
@LadyDuck (502427)
• Italy
29 Nov 16
This is horrible, I have read from another user about this terrible situation. I can only wish that it comes the rain and helps the firefighters to stop the fire before it gets out of control.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502427)
• Italy
30 Nov 16
@AbbyGreenhill I have read the news. I have never understood why some people are so crazy to start forest fires by purpose.
• United States
29 Nov 16
The fires are so far out of control already that the rain didn't help much. Tonight they should get a few inches of rain. This was arson.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
29 Nov 16
Wild fires are so danged unpredictable @AbbyGreenhill . You never know which direction they're going to head to. Everyone's life is at risk including the animals. I hope everybody gets out in time.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Nov 16
They have not reported any deaths so far, but they can't get to the homes that are destroyed to check.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189833)
• Boise, Idaho
29 Nov 16
It is horrible. I have a friend who lives there and has a business touring the Smokies. It is devastating.
@celticeagle (189833)
• Boise, Idaho
29 Nov 16
@AbbyGreenhill .....He lives in a little town called Morristown in eastern Tennessee.
• United States
29 Nov 16
Does your friend live in PF or Gatlinburg?
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Nov 16
@celticeagle I know exactly where that is - we used to live in New Market down the road from there and as a matter of fact we bought two cars at Morristown Chevy. We did a food shopping at Ingles there. Morristown is a hike from PF/Gatlinburg.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40029)
• Toccoa, Georgia
29 Nov 16
As I have been saying, this really depresses me because the area is a favorite of mine and my husband for vacations. We have a lot of memories of good trips there. I am praying.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Nov 16
There are so many conflicting reports on what is destroyed and what isn't. Sounds like more damage to homes was done in Wears Valley area.
@marlina (154103)
• Canada
29 Nov 16
Just heard about this horrible fire over there, thinking of all the people that are in that troubled area.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Nov 16
So far no deaths, that they know of. One man can't find his wife/daughter but no talk of anything else. Where we have stayed in Wears Valley 70 homes are gone. It's a mess for sure and a very sad situation.
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
29 Nov 16
How horrible, my sister went to South Carolina for Thanksgiving, and she mentioned fires and smoke on their way. I am guessing that's what she was seeing. I'm not sure if they went through Tennessee or not.
• United States
29 Nov 16
Those were other fires, this particular fire didn't exist until a few days ago.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Nov 16
@fishtiger58 It actually started on Sunday afternoon with 10 acres burning and the wind shifted and now it's over 15,000 acres gone.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
30 Nov 16
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
29 Nov 16
yes,it is getting out of control some .Terrible we had too many this year
• United States
29 Nov 16
Yes, dry weather and idiots with matches.
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
29 Nov 16
I just saw this on the news. It is also one of our favorite places. So sad.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
29 Nov 16
I've been watching the news on this and wondered how your air quality was, those fires are big.
• United States
29 Nov 16
We are over two hour south west and winds are blowing north to south. Our air is fine.
1 person likes this
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Nov 16
@AbbyGreenhill I am glad to hear it
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
2 Dec 16
The pictures I saw made me think of Fort MacMurray, Alberta's fire this spring. People drove through Dantes inferno to escape.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
2 Dec 16
@AbbyGreenhill the media coverage of that event was sadly lacking. If not for Facebook friends in the area, I would have had no idea these fires had occurred.
@JudyEv (382038)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 16
Wildfires like this, especially in mountainous country, create an intensity that seems impossible to combat. I am so sorry so many areas are being affected. Sending prayers.
• United States
29 Nov 16
Thanks prayers are needed...high winds expected this evening.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382038)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Nov 16
@AbbyGreenhill There is just no stopping these fires sometimes.
• Agra, India
29 Nov 16
I really hope all get settled well and aoin without any loss of property
• United States
29 Nov 16
Hundreds, probably thousands of acres are gone along with homes and businesses.
1 person likes this
• Agra, India
29 Nov 16
@AbbyGreenhill I can understand it is very sad