GATLINBURG, TN – Tennessee officials say several areas are being evacuated because of fires in and around the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
The evacuation area includes Gatlinburg, where winds are blowing smoke and ash into the city.
Gatlinburg police went door to door in one neighborhood asking for voluntary evacuations.
However, local news outlets report as wind picked up and fallen trees sparked fires from downed lines, authorities there ordered a mandatory evacuation of a larger area.
The National Park Service reports more fire growth in the park with the potential for spot fires to form outside of the fire area. Gatlinburg Fire Department will continue to monitor the situation and the Tennessee Division of Forestry has staged equipment in the Mynatt Park community.