NOTE: Graphic language is used in the below videos.
Gatlinburg fire video: First person perspective through the flames force thousands of evacuations
<p>"Scary and very dark, very cloudy. Ashes were falling. And the smoke and the stench was unbearable," <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtRscXcO0GI" target="_blank">one evacuee told WTVF.</a></p><p>That's how residents of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, are describing the devastating wildfires that have forced thousands to evacuate.</p><p>Emergency management officials confirmed to <a href="http://www.newschannel5.com/news/local-news/tema-parts-of-gatlinburg-destroyed-hundreds-of-structures-gone" target="_blank">Newsy's partners at WTVF</a> that parts of the popular resort town were destroyed by the massive flames.</p><p>No fatalities have been reported. But as of Tuesday morning, the wildfires have damaged hundreds of buildings, including more than 100 homes.</p><p><b>SEE MORE: <a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/letting-small-wildfires-burn-may-prevent-larger-ones/">Maybe We Should Just Let Wildfires Burn</a></b></p><p>According to <a href="http://wildfiretoday.com/2016/11/28/wildfires-in-great-smoky-mountains-national-park-cause-evacuation/" target="_blank">Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials,</a> the fire affecting Gatlinburg grew from 10 acres on Sunday night to about 500 acres by Monday morning, thanks to strong wind gusts in the area.</p><p>The gusts are showing no signs of stopping, making things very difficult for firefighters.</p><p>"We're dealing with the worst possible conditions imaginable," <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/28/us/southern-fires-gatlinburg-smokies/" target="_blank">Gatlinburg Fire Department Chief Greg Miller said</a> in a news conference.</p><p>Tennessee and other parts of the South have been dealing with a <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/early-signs-of-water-woes-in-parts-of-the-south/" target="_blank">significant drought</a> for weeks. Fortunately, rain is in the forecast for Gatlinburg. </p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/san-diego-lawyer-arrested-for-planning-to-distribute-cocaine/">San Diego Lawyer Arrested For Planning To Distribute Cocaine</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/cards-against-humanity-digs-100k-hole/">Forget Black Friday Shopping People Spent $100K To Dig A Big Hole</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/richard-spencer-s-former-classmates-raise-money-for-refugees/">Former Classmates Of This White Supremacist Get An 'A' For Spite</a></li></ul>
Posted at 12:15 PM, Nov 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-30 07:24:34-05
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