Tennessee Community Pulling Together after Devastating Fires

Caitlin Burke : Dec 1, 2016
CBN News

The Dollywood Foundation announced it will donate $1,000 a month for six months to Sevier County families who lost their homes in the wildfires. Dolly Parton: "We wanted to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires. I know it has been a trying time for my people, and this assistance will help them get back on their feet." The Dollywood Foundation is accepting donations to contribute to the fund. To donate, visit www.dollywoodfoundation.org.

(Gatlinburg, TN)—[CBN News] Heavy rain Wednesday in Sevier County, Tennessee, brought some welcome relief to firefighters battling blazes that remain in the area. (Screengrab via CBN News)

Officials say more than 400 structures have been damaged or destroyed and seven people have lost their lives.

Despite facing what's being called the area's worst disaster in 100 years, Gatlinburg's small community is pulling together and the local church is leading the way.

Even after Wednesday's heavy downpour, smoke can still be seen hovering over the Great Smoky Mountains, a sign, according to fire officials, of the danger that lingers.

Many of the firefighters working to make these mountains safe again also call them home. In fact, it's hard to find a member of this community who's not affected in some way by the fires.

That's not stopping them from pitching in wherever there's a need.

At the Rocky Top shelter, CBN News met nurses volunteering after working long shifts.

Senior chaplain Paul Lambert of the Sevier County Fire Department says he's faced disasters before but never this close to home.

He's spent the last three days on the front lines, offering support and even driving the water truck to firefighters in the mountains. (Screengrab via CBN News)

The local church is actively supporting not only its members who've been impacted by the fires, but the entire community.

Pastor Brent Freeman has been meeting with city leaders, business owners and influential community members to come up with a plan to care for displaced residents.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross is asking people to stop sending "stuff." They have enough drinking water and thankfully, the donations have been pouring in.

But Gatlinburg is running out of storage space. Its residents need time to decide who will benefit most from what's been donated so far, and they're asking people to hold off for now from sending more.