As some residents of Gatlinburg, Tenn., return to their fire-ravaged city, churches and other charities are gearing up to help.
Wildfires in eastern Tennessee destroyed nearly 18,000 acres and 700 homes and businesses and killed at least 13 people. The fires began last Wednesday along Chimney Tops Trail, a popular hiker destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Officials believe the blaze was “human-caused” and are investigating the case. The steep cliffs and ridges of Chimney Tops made firefighters’ jobs difficult. On Monday, high winds pushed the fires across drought-ridden terrain, sparking new wildfires miles away. Flames swept through the resort town of Gatlinburg and neighboring Pigeon Forge on Tuesday.
Officials called for evacuation, but not before it was too late for many residents and vacationers alike. Some of the dead have been identified, while others remain missing....