An aerial photo shows Gatlinburg, Tennessee, on Tuesday, November 29 -- a day after wildfires hit the city. Gatlinburg city officials declared mandatory evacuations in several areas as firefighters battled at least 14 fires in and around the city. More than 30 large wildfires have left a trail of destruction through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky, according to the US Forest Service.
Paul Efird/Sipa USA/USA TODAY Network/Sipa USA
Polo Gutierrez climbs onto the foundation of a destroyed home to try to see if his apartment building is still standing in Gatlinburg on November 29. Gutierrez fled his apartment with other residents as fires approached the previous night.
Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean/AP
A destroyed structure and vehicle are seen near Gatlinburg on November 29.
Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel/AP
An Alamo Steakhouse was one of the Gatlinburg businesses destroyed by fire.
Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel/AP
Trevor Cates inspects the damage to the Banner Missionary Baptist Church in Gatlinburg on November 29.
Brian Blanco/Getty Images
Two dormitories at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts were damaged from the wildfires that flared near Gatlinburg on November 29.
Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel/AP
Photographer Bruce McCamish captured this image of the fires burning behind the Dollywood Dreammore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
courtesy Bruce McCamish
Fires burn on both sides of Highway 441 between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge on Monday, November 28.
Jessica Tezak/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP
Thick smoke looms in Gatlinburg on November 28.
Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP
Officials from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park reported the closing of roads and several trails near Gatlinburg on November 28.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Firefighter Layne Whitney checks the treetops while working to hold the northern head of the Rock Mountain Fire, north of Tate City, Georgia, on Tuesday, November 22.
Eric Willey looks on from the porch of his home as a helicopter fights a wildfire in Tate City, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 16.
Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP
Firefighters walk down a dirt road as a wildfire burns a hillside in Clayton, Georgia, on Tuesday, November 15.
John Bazemore/AP
A wildfire burns as it approaches Bat Cave, North Carolina, on November 15.
Patrick Sullivan/The Times-News/AP
Firefighters Valarie Lopez and Mark Tabaez work to cool hot spots in Clayton on November 15. A number of the fires are being investigated as suspected arson, but weather conditions are also responsible for the fires.
John Bazemore/AP
Firefighter Kevin Zimmer works the wildfire in Clayton on November 15.
John Bazemore/AP
Exhausted firefighters take a break in Waldens Creek, Tennessee, on Monday, November 14.
Curt Habraken/The Mountain Press /AP
A haze hovers over the Atlanta skyline from a wildfire burning in the northwest part of Georgia on November 14.
David Goldman/AP
Assistant Fire Chief Brent Masey sprays water on a wildfire in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, on Thursday, November 10.
Mark Humphrey/AP
A helicopter carrying 240 gallons of water takes off in Lake Lure, North Carolina, on November 10.
Abigail Margulis/The Asheville Citizen-Times/AP
Smoke from the Party Rock fire spreads near Lake Lure on Wednesday, November 9.