Seven Dead In Southeast US Wildfires: Media
Faizan Hashmi Published December 01, 2016 | 09:30 AM
WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 01st Dec, 2016 ) : Seven people have died in the US southeast as wildfires blazed across a mountainous tourist region, forcing thousands to evacuate and destroying or damaging hundreds of structures, US media reported Wednesday.
High winds and parched vegetation caused by the worst drought in nearly a decade provided fuel for the fires that burned in the eastern part of Tennessee, threatening two tourist resort towns. The seven dead have not been identified, however, the authorities said three were found in a home, a fourth in a burned-out hotel and three more in the same neighborhood, the Knoxville news Sentinel reported.
Forty-five people had been treated at an area hospital, officials said. The fires burned to the doorstep of a well-known theme park, Dollywood, founded by country music legend Dolly Parton, located in the touristic hamlet of Pigeon Forge.
The town's authorities have lifted a mandatory evacuation, while the restriction remains in place for nearby Gatlinburg, a city seven miles (11 kilometers) southeast, which serves as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The towns are both located in Sevier County, whose mayor, Larry Waters, said on Wednesday afternoon that 700 homes and businesses have been burned this week, the News Sentinel said. Of those, 300 buildings were inside Gatlinburg's city limits.
More than 14,000 of the city's residents and visitors were believed to have been evacuated from the Gatlinburg alone, officials reported Tuesday. "I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken," Parton, 70, said Tuesday.
"I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe." Dollywood will remain closed until 2:00 pm (1900 GMT) Friday, while the Great Smoky Mountains -- the most visited national park in the United States -- said it had closed all park facilities and many trails.
Twenty-six active fires have burned nearly 12,000 acres (4,855 hectares) across the state, Tennessee's Department of Agriculture reported Wednesday.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Babar Azam promises ‘positive intent’, aggressive approach against England
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif pays tribute to martyr Major Babar
01 day medical camp held at Afiyat old age home
US retail sales misses expectations in April
Workshop on Innovative Leadership held at IBA Karachi
Pakistan team grabs bronze medal in Asian Taekwondo C'ship
US consumer inflation eases slightly in April, in good news for Biden
CM stresses quality education in govt schools
Pakistan conducts successful training launch of Fatah-II Guided Rocket System
'Maryam Ki Dastak', doorstep delivery of public services, launched
PM Shehbaz Sharif committed to building country’s climate resilience: Romina
Two production units fined Rs 125,000
More Stories From World
-
Quality of Life Program Head discusses investment opportunities in Italy
1 hour ago -
Kuwaiti govt sworn in
1 hour ago -
5.3-magnitude quake hits Tonga Islands
1 hour ago -
Vice Foreign Minister Eng. Waleed Elkhereiji receives newly appointed Chinese Ambassador
2 hours ago -
Swiss court jails Gambian ex-minister for crimes against humanity
2 hours ago -
Two dead, hundreds injured as riots sweep New Caledonia
2 hours ago
-
Two dead, hundreds injured as riots sweep New Caledonia
2 hours ago -
Hezbollah says struck Israel after field commander's killing
2 hours ago -
Qatar eyes more long-term gas supply deals this year
2 hours ago -
Russia says advancing across front line including south
3 hours ago -
Palestinians flee Gaza battles on anniversary of 1948 'Nakba'
4 hours ago -
EU cuts inflation forecast for 2024 despite uncertainty
2 hours ago