Escaping wildfires meant fleeing through hell-like landscape

Gatlinburg, surrounding area torched by rampant wildfires

A structure and vehicle are damaged from the wildfires around Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Tuesday. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. - photo by Associated Press

W fire — A structure and vehicle are damaged from the wildfires around Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Tuesday. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. - photo by Associated Press

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — With flames dripping from tree branches like lava and the air filled with embers, thousands of people raced through a hell-like landscape as they fled from wildfires that killed three people and destroyed hundreds of homes and a resort in the Great Smoky Mountains.Fanned by hurricane-force winds, the flames reached the doorstep of Dollywood, the theme park named after country music legend and local hero Dolly Parton. But the attraction was spared any significant damage.The fires spread quickly on Monday night, when winds topping 87 mph whipped up the flames, catching residents and tourists in the Gatlinburg area by surprise. Police banged on front doors and told people to get out immediately.

Associated Press

Associated Press