Wildfires create ‘State of Emergency’ in Tennessee

GATLINBURG, T.N. (AP) — The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency says National Guard troops are being sent in to help out as wildfires continue to spread in Gatlinburg and surrounding areas in the Smoky Mountains National Park.
TEMA spokesman Dean Flener says the troops will transport first responders, perform welfare checks and remove debris.
Emergency officials in Tennessee ordered evacuations due to the blaze in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and in other areas of Sevier County.