Gatlinburg is burning

Well, close. Wildfires have forced the evacuation of downtown.

https://t.co/WLjA2sM4tU

 

Jeez, I sure hope corn dogs, pretzels and ring dings aren't flammable.

 

Great. You just made me think of Michele Bachman.

 

Pigeon Forge is now being evacuated and people in hardened structures are being told to stay there. Holy shit.

 

Shit. Hope it's Ober soon.

 

The jokes really aren't funny. Lots of people are trapped because the winds whipped this thing up in a matter of a couple of hours.

 

And don't forget Dollywood. Seriously.

 

I read one story in which a woman said the car behind her caught on fire as they were evacuating. Scary shit.

 

The weather has been a mixed blessing. A big line of thunderstorms came through there (and much of the South) yesterday, providing the first good soaking rain in over two months. But for hours ahead of the front, the wind was just howling. Huge gusts, perfect for spreading fire. I can only imagine it was even strong up on the ridge tops. And the same set up on tap tonight for the Smokies.

 

It appears that Dollywood, although in real danger at one point, has been spared for now.