Last week, wildfires tore through eastern Tennessee, affecting several resort towns near Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The fires destroyed over 1,600 buildings, caused more than 14,000 residents and tourists to evacuate, injured 134 and killed 14. The fire, which started on Monday evening, when embers from a wildfire burning in the national park were blown into Gatlinburg, is now mostly contained.

News reports indicate that the center of Gatlinburg’s tourist district avoided heavy damage. Country star Dolly Parton, who was born and raised in the area, stated that her Dollywood theme park and DreamMore resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, were evacuated but spared the worst of the wildfire. Dollywood has reopened as of Dec. 2.

In the aftermath of the devastating fires, Sevier County cities such as Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Townsend have announced that they are now open for business as usual. Gatlinburg will be reopening its downtown Parkway and River Road on Dec. 7.

Mike Werner, major of Gatlinburg, who lost his home and business to the fires, urged visitors to return to the country’s most visited national park. In a press conference, he said, “If you want to help Gatlinburg, come back and visit us. We’re going to be back—better than ever.”

Pigeon Forge businesses were not damaged during the fire and are open as usual. The city’s 27th annual Winterfest celebration continues as scheduled until Feb. 28, 2017. Sevierville and Townsend businesses and attractions are also open and operating as usual.

The National Park Service announced that the Townsend, Tennessee entrance into Cades Cove, one of the Great Smoky Mountains’ most famous scenic routes, has now been reopened to the public.

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