"Scary and very dark, very cloudy. Ashes were falling. And the smoke and the stench was unbearable," one evacuee told WTVF.
That's how residents of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, are describing the devastating wildfires that have forced thousands to evacuate.
Emergency management officials confirmed to Newsy's partners at WTVF that parts of the popular resort town were destroyed by the massive flames.
No fatalities have been reported. But as of Tuesday morning, the wildfires have damaged hundreds of buildings, including more than 100 homes.
SEE MORE: Maybe We Should Just Let Wildfires Burn
According to Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials, the fire affecting Gatlinburg grew from 10 acres on Sunday night to about 500 acres by Monday morning, thanks to strong wind gusts in the area.
The gusts are showing no signs of stopping, making things very difficult for firefighters.
"We're dealing with the worst possible conditions imaginable," Gatlinburg Fire Department Chief Greg Miller said in a news conference.
Tennessee and other parts of the South have been dealing with a significant drought for weeks. Fortunately, rain is in the forecast for Gatlinburg.
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