Wildfires in Great Smoky Mountains Cause Evacuations

A fast-moving wildfire has forced people to flee their homes just outside of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and it could force some residents of North Georgia, Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina to change potential upcoming spring break vacation travel plans, too.

The evacuation is for parts of Wears Valley, Tennessee, a community of some 6,000 people, just 7 miles to the west of Gatlinburg and 5 miles west of Pigeon Forge. Reports stated that the fire is spreading rapidly due to wind gusts in the area and has already caused some destruction.

A shelter for evacuees has opened at the Pigeon Forge Community Center.

Terry Carter of our parent company Georgia Carolina Radiocasting contributed to this report, along with Kyle Grainger WVLT-TV in Sevier County, TN