It is being called the worst fire the state of Tennessee has seen in over 100 years. Wildfires started on Monday (Nov. 28), according to CNN, and have continued to burn throughout East Tennessee, specifically in the towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, most famous for being the hometown of country legend Dolly Parton.
The fires began in the Great Smoky Mountains, forcing residents to evacuate with just the clothes on their backs. It has destroyed over 150 structures, including outlying cabins from Dollywood, which suspended operations on Tuesday morning (Nov. 29).
Many country singers have grown up in East Tennessee including Kenny Chesney, Ashley Monroe, Kelsea Ballerini, Rodney Atkins and Dave Barnes. Being that Tennessee is home to pretty much all of country music’s biggest stars, many have offered their condolences to the lives lost and prayers for the firefighters trying to contain the flames and the people of East Tennessee. The hashtag “#PrayForGatlinburg” has surfaced with hundreds of tweets.
Check out some of your favorite country stars’ reactions to the horrific fire in East Tennessee.
Reba McEntire
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNbGo4eA5Q0/
Miley Cyrus
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNcRbdNB_wv/
Chris Young
I am so worried for everyone in Gatlinburg, TN… Please be safe…#prayingforgatlinburg
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) November 29, 2016
Chris Janson
Praying for Gatlinburg. Bring on the rain
— Chris Janson (@janson_chris) November 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/janson_chris/status/803611390611111937
Rodney Atkins
Praying for you East Tennessee #prayforgatlinburg
— Rodney Atkins (@RodneyAtkins) November 29, 2016
Travis Tritt
My drummer tells me that rain is starting to fall just in time around Gatlinburg, TN. Hopefully, this will help douse the fires. 🙏🏼
— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) November 29, 2016
Jimmy Wayne
https://twitter.com/JimmyWayne/status/803447101443153920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
As of Wednesday morning (Nov. 30), Sevier Country officials confirmed there was a fourth fatality after they deployed a search and rescue team.
“We’re going to be OK – that’s our message – we’re going to be OK. If you really want to do something for Gatlinburg . .. come back and visit us,” Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner said, according to WBIR. “The beauty of this right now is we have so many people wanting to help it’s almost overwhelming. We’re going to be back on our feet, we’re going to be OK.”
Local residents have been advised to boil their water before drinking it and to strain the water through a clean cloth to remove anything that might be present due to the heavy demand of the city’s water supply.
If you would like to help, the Red Cross is accepting donations, and you can easily donate money to relief efforts on your cell phone by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999 or by donating online here.
We are praying for East Tennessee and especially for the lives the wildfire has taken.