Gatlinburg, Tennessee (CNN) Fanned by strong winds and the Southeast's worst drought in nearly a decade , at least 14 wildfires burned in and around Gatlinburg, Tennessee, forcing evacuations from the popular tourist destination and nearby communities. (Photo: BRIANNA PACIORKA/NEWS SENTINEL)

"The wind is not helping, and the rain is not here yet," Gatlinburg Fire Department Chief Greg Miller said in a news conference. (Photo: Jessica Tezak/Special to the News Sentinel)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Motorists fleeing wildfires in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge packed roads in and out of the resort towns Monday night as flames and choking smoke driven by wind swept across the area. Dollywood officials said the theme park itself wasn’t damaged, but said that more than a dozen cabins operated by the park were damaged or destroyed by the wildfires. The flames arrived Tuesday at the popular resort town of Gatlinburg where as many as 100 houses were burned, drawing in the help of National Guard troops and destroying hundreds of homes and businesses. The Gatlinburg Fire Department ordered the mandatory evacuation of downtown Gatlinburg as wind conditions worsened and several fires grew increasingly unpredictable and dangerous. Staff at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg were forced to evacuate Monday evening, but all of the facility's 1,500 animals are still inside, Ripley Entertainment Regional Manager Ryan DeSear told CNN Tuesday. ATLANTA — Raging wildfires fueled by high winds forced the evacuation of thousands of people and damaged or burned hundreds of homes and other buildings in a popular vacation resort town on the border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park as National Guard troops arrived early Tuesday to help overwhelmed firefighters battle the blaze. A car behind us caught on fire due to the flames jumping the road.” pic.twitter.com/qislDoxpl0 — James Spann (@spann) November 29, 2016

Fallen trees sparked multiple fires in Gatlinburg from downed power lines, authorities said. “I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe,” she said. "I can tell you that we've all been overwhelmed at the scene of destruction in the county and primarily in the city of Gatlinburg," Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters told reporters at a press conference. Several evacuation shelters opened and about 1,300 people stayed overnight at the local community center and park. Officials initially reported additional fire activity near the Park Headquarters area, as well as a spot fire between Elkmont and Newfound Gap Road off of the Sugarland Mountain Trail approximately 1 mile south of the Husky Gap Trail intersection.
The Gatlinburg Fire Department orders the mandatory evacuation of downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee, as several wildfires burn out of control in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.