Dollywood this evening announced that the theme park will reopen on Friday, Dec. 2, after unprecedented wildfires swept across the Smoky Mountains foothills in East Tennessee. In the meantime, the park will focus its efforts on supporting the community and surrounding areas. Therefore, Dollywood will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 30, and Thursday, Dec. 1.
Photos taken near the park show the flames engulfing the nearby landscape:
SMOKY MOUNTAIN WILDFIRE– Evacuations now in Pigeon Forge. This is the view from Dollywood Hotel. #10tv pic.twitter.com/E2W694R1zU
— Chris Bradley (@Chris10TV) November 29, 2016
Fortunately, the theme park was spared from any significant damage.
Park employees have joined together to assist fellow employees affected by the blaze as well as area businesses by donating personal care items to the shelter at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge. They also continue to feed and house firefighters and first responders.
Dolly Parton released a statement about the disaster:
I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken. I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe. It is a blessing that my Dollywood theme park, the DreamMore Resort, Dixie Stampede and so many businesses in Pigeon Forge have been spared.
Thanks to community firefighters’ and first responders’ efforts, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort remains open for guests.
To help those affected by the wildfires, visit American Red Cross’ disaster relief website, call the American Red Cross (1-800-Red-Cross) or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the disaster relief fund.
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