Church of God, Operation Compassion Partner as Wildfires Threaten Thousands
Gatlinburg, TN–A fast-moving wildfire in the area of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the Great Smoky Mountains grew rapidly last night as winds whipped a somewhat manageable set of brush fires into raging forest fires.
Many guests of the popular tourist destination were forced from their rooms due to the approaching flames. Residents of Gatlinburg and adjoining towns of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville also took precautions or evacuated if fires were encroaching on the thousands of structures located among thousands of acres of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
According to reports, hundreds of structures have been damaged and many families evacuated from their homes. While there have been injuries, no fatalities have yet been reported.
The International Offices of the Church of God has been in contact with leaders at the nearby Church of God Smoky Mountain Children’s Home in Sevierville. In a statement from Dr. Walt Mauldin, director of the Home, he said, “We are praising the Lord this morning that the children, youth, and staff here at the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home are all safe!
The forest fires were approximately six miles away from the campus, but we did experience some very high winds and dense smoke throughout the day on Monday. Thank the Lord for the blessing of rain that abated most of the flames late last night. Three of our staff members were forced to evacuate their homes but found them with no damages this morning. We want to thank everyone for your concern and prayers.”
Reports on the status of local churches and homes of members in the area are still being assessed. According to Pastor Phillip Morris of the Parkway Church of God, they have at least four families who may have lost homes. Authorities are allowing only limited access to the affected areas.
Operation Compassion has established disaster relief sites at the Seymour Church of God with Pastor Scott Turner, the Purpose Church of God in Pigeon Forge with Pastor Joel Arwood and with Pastor Tom Sterbens and the New Hope Church in Sevierville.
Product is being sent from a number of Operation Compassion’s local and regional partners including Gerald McGinnis and Paul Harris from the Knoxville Dream Center, Daniel Murch and Transition Furniture, Larry Miller and Steps for Families and Crystal Springs Water. Blankets, food, bottled water, snacks, chips, cookies, MRE’s and other necessary products are being procured and will be delivered as needed throughout this emergency.
Operation Compassion is working closely with the local fire department, sheriff’s department, local city police departments, Mayor’s offices, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and other agencies to better coordinate the response to this disaster.
To donate to the cause, please visit www.operationcompassion.org, call 423.728.3932, or mail donations to: Operation Compassion, 114 Stuart Road, NE PMB 370, Cleveland, TN 37312.
