Singer Dolly Parton is praying for those in her home state of Tennessee.
The 76-year-old Tennessee-native is known for her presence in the entertainment industry, but she is also a thriving entrepreneur with several profitable businesses in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This includes her very own theme park, Dollywood.
On Thursday night, the “9 to 5” singer took to social media in order to send her well-wishes to those impacted by the wildfires currently spreading through Tennessee.
Dolly Parton Assures Fans That All Is Good In Dollywood
The “Jolene” singer took to social media to convey how proud she was that everyone was working together to contain the spread of the fire.
“I’ve been keeping up with everything going on with the fires near my home area. It looks scary on TV, but I’m proud of how everyone in the area has pulled together like they always do. I’m especially proud of the brave men and women who are working to contain the fire,” she tweeted.
I’ve been keeping up with everything going on with the fires near my home area. It looks scary on TV, but I’m proud of how everyone in the area has pulled together like they always do. I’m especially proud of the brave men and women who are working to contain the fire.
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) March 31, 2022
“I know there are some folks who have been affected, and I hope that you will join me in saying a prayer for them. During this time, I’ve also remained in touch with my people at @Dollywood who have assured me everything is okay there,” she added.
I know there are some folks who have been affected, and I hope that you will join me in saying a prayer for them. During this time, I’ve also remained in touch with my people at @Dollywood who have assured me everything is okay there.
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) March 31, 2022
Several fans admitted that they hadn’t heard about the wildfires in Tennessee. As one fan wrote, “We’re having wildfires due to red flag conditions yesterday. High winds, little humidity. Fire started yesterday around 12pm or so. 3,700 acres burned, 100+ structures lost, and 30% contained.”
Dolly Parton Is ‘Proud’ Of The Community For Coming Together To Contain The Fire
The American Red Cross is asking people who are planning to come to an evacuating center to bring bedding (such as pillows) and prescribed medications with them to help make their stay more comfortable.
— Sevier County EMA (@EmaSevier) March 31, 2022
According to CNN, a wildfire burning near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Sevier County, Tennessee – where Dolly Parton was born! – has consumed more than 3,700 acres, according to Mayor Larry Waters in a news conference delivered on Thursday.
Over 11,000 homes have been evacuated since the fire began on Wednesday and was 30% contained as of Thursday afternoon, according to officials. Water said that at least two firefighters have suffered “minor injuries” as they worked to contain the blaze. One civilian was also reported to be injured when the fire overcame him while he was working on a bulldozer.
Fortunately, there are no reports of fatalities or missing people as a result of the fire, which damaged five fire rescue vehicles, including four county vehicles and one state vehicle.
Mandatory evacuation orders in the county, which included Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, are remaining in place for now. Water said that officials are working “as fast as we can so that our folks can go home.”
Waters added that the fire “could have been much more devastating had we not had this team in place.” He noted that the cause of the fire had yet to be determined.
To help our friends affected by Sevier County 2022 wildfires (monetary donations):
In Person: Any Citizens National Bank
Mail: CNB – Mountain Tough Recovery Team, 200 Forks of the River Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37862 (check: Mountain Tough Recovery Team)
Phone: 865-453-9031 pic.twitter.com/Tbg6SWa8em— Dollywood Parks & Resorts (@Dollywood) March 31, 2022
Fire personnel “from all over the state” have reportedly “poured in” in order to combat the blaze, Waters added. He praised the fire and forestry crews for fighting to contain the blaze.
In a tweet, the Sevier County Emergency Management Agency asked for people who were fleeing their homes to bring their own bedding.
“The American Red Cross is asking people who are planning to come to an evacuating center to bring bedding (such as pillows) and prescribed medications with them to help make their stay more comfortable,” they tweeted.