Death toll from Sevier wildfire in Tennessee up to 7

GATLINBURG, Tenn., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Officials in Sevier County said Wednesday that seven people have died from a wildfire that's burned close to 20,000 acres in the eastern part of Tennessee.

Officials revised the toll during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. The three new victims were all found together, Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters, said.

None of the victims has been identified, however, as authorities notify relatives.

"Certainly I can say at this time that all of us are praying for the families and are very distressed at the loss of life," Waters said, adding that three people trapped by fire have also been rescued this week.

Nearly 15,000 people were evacuated from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge on Monday evening as winds caused smaller spot fires to spread through a larger swath of the Smoky Mountains and into the cities.

In addition to the deaths, one firefighter sustained minor injuries and more than 50 people have sought medical treatment as a result of the blazes.

Meanwhile, Gatlinburg officials have called on residents to conserve use of water, which is in short supply due to firefighting efforts as well as water loss from damaged structures in the city.

While an evacuation order was lifted for Pigeon Forge, fire curfews were kept in place overnight in both cities.

"I'm convinced the death toll would be much higher if not for their quick decisions," U.S. Rep. Phil Roe said of firefighters' and other officials' efforts to clear both cities late Monday and early Tuesday, narrowly getting people out of the way of flames which spread faster than expected.

The blaze started Monday as a few spot fires in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Wind picked embers up from the smaller fires and spread them further through the park and into nearby towns, burning through 500 acres and reaching homes, hotels and even Dollywood quickly overnight.

By late Tuesday night, officials estimated that 15,000 acres had burned during the previous two days at a quick rate. Hundreds of structures in the area were damaged as 400 firefighters from around the state battled the wildfire.

"It's a little numbing, to be honest with you, to see the extent of the damage," Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said, adding that so many fires were burning at once it was a "mini-miracle" the damage isn't worse.