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Apr 1, 2010
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Fire close to Dollywood, DreamMore Resort & cabins evacuated

As fires threaten homes and businesses in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, the area's largest theme park is watching the situation closely.

Pete Owens, spokesperson for Dollywood, says that so far, no structures inside the park have been damaged. They have fire crews in the park, standing by if needed to protect the buildings.

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge evacuated due to wildfires

The Dollywood resort was also evacuated Monday night because of the fires, ABC News confirmed.

According to a rep for Dollywood, Pete Owens, the guests in the cabins have been relocated, but the resort that is on site has not.

There was no fire in the park, as of late Monday night, Owens said.

A representative for Dolly Parton said that everything was OK so far inside the park as of Monday night.

Dollywood Threatened By Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge Wildfires

Staff members at Dolly Parton‘s theme park, Dollywood, are taking precautions to prevent damage to the tourist destination as wildfires rage in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Dollywood Director of Communications Pete Owens tells Nashville’s Tennessean that 19 of Dollywood’s cabins have been evacuated, as well as all occupied rooms at the park’s DreamMore Resort; the affected guests were relocated to areas away from the wildfires. Owens adds that firefighters are taking preventative measures to protect Dollywood from the fires, and that there has been no damage to the park nor any injuries due to the fires.

Wildfires Blazing in Gatlinburg Reach Dollywood’s ‘Doorstep’

Our thoughts and prayers are with folks in East Tennessee this morning as firefighters and emergency management crews continue to battles raging wildfires in and around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Overnight, fires reached “right on the doorstep” of Dollywood, which is owned by country music icon Dolly Parton. According to ABC News, the flames forced the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to evacuate guest cabins at the popular tourist destination. Thankfully, firefighting crews were able to stop the flames from destroying the park.

“We have fire crews on the park working with our team to protect structures,” Pete Owens, Dollywood Director of Media, told ABC News. “There is fire on the ridge near the park.”

Dollywood is closed today, according to the park’s website.
 
The wildfires were already spreading in Tennessee, when we were at Dollywood 1.5 weeks ago, but they weren't near us. I guess the dry fall has made the mountains vulnerable.
 
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Zimmy said:
I have heard that the aquarium is no longer at risk.  Can any confirm this?
The reports I have read seem to be some what ambitious on that. A emergency team of biologist and life support specialist are backbon site but they also mention that firefighters are still battling fires and hot spots in the area. The impression that I have had is that they are not in immediate danger but that they are still somewhat at risk if conditions change.
 
From the Dollywood website:

UPDATE: November 29, 2016 5:00 p.m. – After assessing the damage wrought by recent wildfires in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is focusing its efforts for the next two days supporting the community.

Dollywood hosts have joined in supporting the needs of their fellow hosts affected as well as assisting other area businesses in supplying personal care items to the shelter at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge and they continue to feed and house firefighters and first responders.

“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, Dixie Stampede and so many businesses in Pigeon Forge have been spared,” Dolly Parton said.

Thanks to the hard work by community firefighters and first responders, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort is open to guests. The Dollywood theme park will resume normal operation on Friday, December 2 at 2 p.m.

For those interested in helping victims of the wildfires, contact the American Red Cross (1-800-Red Cross) or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate ten dollars to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund.

********

November 29, 2016 9:45 a.m. – Wildfires in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains continue to affect several areas of Sevier County including Dollywood. An assessment this morning revealed no damage to the Dollywood park itself but more than a dozen cabins managed through Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins were damaged or destroyed.  

As the cities continue to assess the damage and impact of the fires, Dollywood has suspended park operation for Wednesday, November 30.  Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort will be open on a limited basis for those in need and for registered guests.  For current lodging reservation inquiries, please contact 1-800-DOLLYWOOD (1-800-365-5996).

Last night, for the safety of our guests, resort staff evacuated families in 50 rooms staying at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and families staying in 19 cabins at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins.

We continue to assist fire fighters and rescue personnel in any way we can and will provide details of any further developments as and when they are available.  For those interested in helping victims of the wildfires, contact the American Red Cross 1-800-Red Cross or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate ten dollars to American Red Cross disaster relief.


From Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies:

Gatlinburg, TN. (November 29, 2016) First and foremost we would like to thank the first responders for risking their lives to save our community.

We would also like to thank our dedicated Aquarium team that stayed as late as possible before being forced to evacuate when fires approached the back of our building. We are grateful to have had the police escort our emergency team back into the Aquarium early this morning to check on the well-being of our animals. We have a team of Marine Biologists and Life Support Experts inside the Aquarium and are happy to report that the animals are safe.

Ripley’s Aquariums are accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), a non-profit organization dedicated to animal care. We are continuing to monitor the stability of our animals and life support systems. We have Ripley teams in Myrtle Beach and Buffalo on standby to assist our Gatlinburg Husbandry staff if needed. We would also like to thank the many aquariums and zoos that have offered their support.

Along with our own animals, we want to express concern for the local forest animals and pets. We are hoping for the safety of all the living creatures of our community.

With eight attractions in Sevier County and over 2 million visitors a year, we are proud members of this community, and we stand with everyone in Gatlinburg during this time. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the safety of all animals, people, their homes, our community, and our employees. The Ripley’s family will be helping in any way possible as we recover from this tragic event.

For the safety of our employees and guests, all of our Attractions will remain closed until the evacuation has lifted.
 
I can't get the article to kink from my phone but ABC is reporting that Dollywood is offering to donate up to 1,000 dollars a month for up to 6 months to each family that lost their homes in the wild fire. What a nice thing for them to do my hat is off to them.
 
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