A mandatory evacuation was issued for downtown Gatlinburg in East Tennessee due to the intense wildfires sweeping the Smoky Mountains.
Evacuations also included Mynatt Park, Park Vista and Ski Mounty in Gatlinburg, and the south part of Pigeon Forge close to Sevierville.
Local schools have been canceled Tuesday, and officials with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park issued an air quality advisory Monday.
A representative with the park said the air quality is unhealthy for the Sevier County section of the park and adjacent areas, especially in the Gatlinburg area due to heavy smoke from the nearby Chimney 2 Fire.
The National Guard has been mobilized to Sevier County.
Director of Sevier County's E-911 call center, Judy Tucker, around 9 p.m. said, "No one's getting through to anyone. Phones are ringing and not being answered anywhere. It's chaos."
National Park Service and Gatlinburg officials stressed the fire posed a serious threat that would not end until rains arrive.
"We urge the public to pray. We urge the public to stay off the highways. The traffic that is on the roads is emergency equipment. If (the public) could just stay home and stay tuned to their local media outlet," said Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller.
The fires have threatened multiple resorts, businesses and homes.
#Gatlinburg park vista Hilton hotel pic.twitter.com/MN2CaLNYDF
— ???? Logan (@Redwolfstone123) November 28, 2016
According to Tennessee Emergency Management officials, a total of 30 structures were on fire in Gatlinburg late Monday night, including a 16-story hotel on Regan Drive and the Driftwood Apartments reported fully-involved near the Park Vista Hotel.
The wildfire was also at the edge of Dollywood. Officials evacuated many of its cabins and its newest addition the DreamMore Resort.
The smoke from the fire could be seen from the NewsChannel 5 satellite radar.
State Hwy. 441 heading into Gatlinburg was closed, except for emergency traffic. State Hwy. 441 leaving Gatlinburg was open to evacuating traffic.
There have been no reports of fatalities, but one man, an evacuee, was injured in the fire. There was also a report of minor injuries due to a fire truck involved in an accident.
