Dolly Parton ‘Heartbroken’ Over East Tennessee Fires
“I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken," said Parton.
Wildfires went rampant in Sevier Country starting Monday afternoon and the burn has become increasingly worse throughout the last 24 hours as many residents in East Tennessee are facing the damages from the horrific natural disaster.
Edging right near Dolly Parton’s beloved theme park, Dollywood, as well as swarming the tourist towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, the wildfires have caused many people to evacuate and businesses to shut down. As a native to the area, Parton just released a statement expressing her sadness about the tragic circumstances burning away in East Tennessee.
“I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken. I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe. It is a blessing that my Dollywood theme park, the DreamMore Resort and so many businesses in Pigeon Forge have been spared,” she said.
Before the wildfires started, Parton teamed up with Smokey the Bear on a video to help prevent wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains during this extended drought period in Tennessee. The country superstar advised citizens to stay away from burning fallen leaves and parking cars near dry areas to prevent sparking.
There are currently people evacuating the areas with a current total of 14,000 residents displaced. More than 2,000 people are being sheltered in the Gatlinburg Community Center and Rocky Top Sports Park, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. Both firefighter crews and The National Guard are in the midst of fighting the spread of the wildfire.
Thoughts and prayers are being sent out to all of the folks affected by these wildfires in East Tennessee, as well as the men and women battling to put these fires out.
