As fire engulfs Pigeon Forge, Dolly Parton asks for prayers
Several fires, including one in Pigeon Forge, were reported in the Smokies a few weeks ago. The regions affected were Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.
The potential of a wildfire is still very real despite the fact that the vast majority of these flames have since been either put out or largely contained because of the dry conditions and increasing winds.
In the hills near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, more than 100 structures have been damaged by a wildfire that Tennessee Wildland Fire officials are fighting to put out. Around 3,700 acres of land have been burned by the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane fire.
Sevier County Emergency Management said that there were planned evacuations for the Shagbark resort as well as Hatcher Mountain, Cove Creek, and Indigo Roads.
In order to facilitate better access for emergency vehicles, other nearby roads were also closed. The area where Dolly Parton, the queen of country music, lives and where her Dollywood tourist park is located is on fire.
Parton expressed her condolences to anyone impacted by the California wildfire on Instagram. “I’ve been following everything about the flames close to my local area,” Parton wrote.
“Though it appears frightening on television, I’m pleased of the community for coming together like they always do.”
“I’m extremely proud of the courageous men and women battling the fire.”
After that, she requested prayers for people who had been impacted by the fire. Parton claims she has received assurances that the area around her Dollywood estate is safe. “I know some people who have been impacted, and I hope that you will join me in praying for them with me,” she continues.
“I’ve also kept in touch with my Dollywood contacts over this time, and they have assured me that everything is fine there.”
A representative for Dollywood reported that the fire started at around 2 p.m. on the roof of a closed and empty structure on the resort’s property.
No one was in the near area of the fire, the spokesman said, and workers were able to put it out before the Pigeon Forge Fire Department arrived. A representative stated that the park was still operational.
The 800-acre Millstone Gap fire, the second to break out in a rural area near the border of Blount and Sevier counties, has been entirely out of control and has little chance of being contained. Now, investigators are attempting to ascertain what initially caused the flames.
The Seymore Heights Christian Church also remained open as required for individuals looking for a safe haven, while the Pigeon Forge Community Center operated as a shelter.
According to tn.gov, there are typically two fire seasons in Tennessee. The spring fire season, which runs from mid-February to mid-May, is a time when the forest “greened up.”
When the leaves start to fall in the middle of October, the fall fire season officially starts and lasts until the middle of December.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that wildfires can happen at any time of the year. Nature can also start wildfires. However, according to experts, humans are responsible for around 85% of wildland fires in the United States.
