Gatlinburg

#PrayforGatlinburg. This is what I see today. The city of Gatlinburg is on fire from the wildfires that have been burning for a couple of weeks. Gatlinburg is called the gateway to the Smoky Mountain Gateway Park and is now burning. Homes, historical sites, hotels are burning down,

There are strong winds, fires and drought that are keeping the fires going. The winds knocked down power lines that started more fires.

If you are in or around Gatlinburg, evacuate immediately. Try to seek shelter. Authorities issued evacuation orders for Gatlinburg and nearby areas, including the north end of Pigeon Forge: "Nobody is allowed into the city at this time. If you are currently in Gatlinburg and are able to evacuate ... evacuate immediately." TEMA said on its website that State Hwy. 441 heading into Gatlinburg is closed except for emergency traffic and the same highway leaving the city is open for evacuations. Schools in Green, McMinn and Sevier counties will be closed Tuesday, the agency said, and more than 12,000 people in Sevier County were without power as of early Tuesday morning.

Rain came into Tennessee last night, but with the rain, the high winds were there too. Hopefully there is some relief coming to the area soon.

Please keep all the areas with wildfires in mind and thoughts.