GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WKRN) – Strong winds Monday caused a wildfire on Chimney Top Mountain in Tennessee to spread rapidly into Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) issued a Level 3 State of Emergency late Monday night.
Thirty structures were on fire by 10 p.m. Central, including a 16-story hotel on Regan Drive and the Driftwood Apartments.
If you want to make a donation to those affected by the fires, here’s how you can help.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for several areas, including downtown Gatlinburg, Mynatt Park, Park Vista and Ski Mounty in Gatlinburg, and for the south part of Pigeon Forge close to Sevierville.
Dollywood representatives say the theme park hasn’t been damaged by wildfires, but more than a dozen cabins operated by the park have been damaged or destroyed.
A news release says Dollywood made an assessment of the park early Tuesday morning. On Monday night, resort staff evacuated families staying in 50 rooms at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and in 19 of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins.
The release notes that 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.
Also on Tuesday, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported that the Ober Gatlinburg amusement park and ski area is fine. 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.
TEMA asked residents not to use their mobile devices unless it’s to make an emergency call as to not inundate the mobile system.
*The Associated Press contributed to this report