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US & Canada

GETTY IMAGES

The fire destroyed around 400 buildings so far near the Great Smoky Mountains, America's most popular
national park

The death toll from the wildfires raging in several southern US

states has risen to seven as search-and-rescue operations
continue.

The resort cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee have

suffered the majority of the damage.
More than four dozen people have been injured by the fire, and
hundreds of buildings burned to their foundations.
Authorities say the fire is about 10% contained and "could still rear its
head".

GETTY IMAGES

At least 150 buildings in Gatlinburg have been destroyed

Over 14,000 people have been evacuated, and schools across the
region have been closed.
As the flames die down in some areas, other risks to firefighters are
becoming a greater threat, Gatlinburg's fire chief says.
Country music star Dolly Parton 'heartbroken' over deadly
wildfires
Wildfires- Why they start and how they can be stopped
"A new challenge that the weather is creating for us after the fire is we
are experiencing some small mudslides and rock slides because there's
no longer that foliage that's holding everything together," Chief Greg
Miller said at a press conference.

Police raised the death toll to seven on Wednesday afternoon after

discovering three more bodies.

GETTY IMAGES

Officials have asked locals to conserve water so it can be used for fire fighting efforts

They did not provide any details regarding the circumstances of the
deaths.
Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters told reporters: "We certainly want to
pray for those families, the folks involved in the fatalities. We continue
to try to identity them. We haven't been able to yet."
Officials in Gatlinburg hope to allow residents to return to the town on
Friday, but for now the mandatory evacuation order remains in place.

EPA

A wildfire approaches the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts on Tuesday night

EPA

The school was quickly engulfed by the flames

Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner called for tourists to support the area by
coming to visit the region which includes the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park and draws more than 11 million people annually.
"We're going to be OK - that's our message - we're going to be OK,"
said Mayor Werner, who lost his own home and business in the blaze.
"If you really want to do something for Gatlinburg ... come back and
visit us."

GETTY IMAGES

Fire alarms continue to sound throughout the city of Gatlinburg

Dollywood, the resort owned by country music star Dolly Parton in the
mountain town of Pigeon Forge, was largely spared, though the flames
licked its doorstep.
There is a rain system currently moving through the area, but officials
fear that not enough will fall to stem the spread of the fire, which has
already burned for several weeks due to drought conditions.
In other parts of the US South, severe thunderstorms and tornados
have led to five deaths and dozens of injuries.

Related Topics
Tennessee

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