As the destructive wildfires of North Carolina continue to set forests ablaze, the flames creep their way into Tennessee. After consuming more than 50,000 acres of land in North Carolina, the fire threatens Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Georgia. Emergency officials have ordered a mandatory evacuation for the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas as hundreds of structures have already been set ablaze.

The fires started early Monday, November 28 and spread quickly by 87 mph winds. This caught residents and tourists off guard as everything was engulfed in flames. Linda Monholland, a resident of Gatlinburg, said, “There was fire everywhere. It was like we were in hell.” At first, no deaths were reported but as the fires continued family members were reported missing.

Emergency officials in Pigeon Forge say, “If you are in Gatlinburg and are able to evacuate, get out now!” Thousands have been evacuated from the areas, but many have been injured. Deaths continue to rise and officials are desperately trying to get to areas where people have been trapped. Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller says that they “have not been able to get to all of the areas,” and that search and rescue missions were being conducted in attempt to save those in danger.

The catastrophe not only affected people; many businesses were ruined in the chaos. A 16-story hotel was completely destroyed as well as homes and buildings. Thousands of fish and animals at the Ripley’s Aquarium had to be left behind due to the immediate evacuation of Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg’s most iconic house, the Castle, was destroyed as well as many churches. Also, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said that the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort and Spa “is likely entirely gone.”

Despite the horrid destruction of businesses in the area the famous Dollywood theme park was spared from the flames, though many of the cabins run by the company were destroyed. The DreamMore Resort as well as the Gatlinburg community center and the Rocky Top Sports Park will be open as a place of refuge for those who have been affected by the fires.

Thanks to the rain moving up from South Carolina emergency officials will have an ally in fighting back the flames in North Carolina and Tennessee. Though the future looks bright for the areas affected by the flames, the future for the victims however doesn’t. Tourists will most likely go back to their lives, but the residents don’t have much to go back to. Patrick Sours, a resident of Gatlinburg, says,  “It hasn’t fully kicked in that, hey, we’re homeless… We have no job. We have nothing.” People were able to return to their homes on December 2 to see the disaster that awaited them. Some were spared the destruction of the flames while others returned to rubble. As the flames die down many are left with nothing while the battle against the flames carries on leaving a scorched mark in history.