Wildfires ravage Tennessee: 5 things to know

Wildfires continued to burn across the South on Tuesday, prompting thousands of people to evacuate their homes, knocking out power and destroying buildings.

>> Read more trending stories

More than 20 large wildfires raged across the Southeast early Tuesday, authorities said.

Among the hardest hit was Tennessee, where officials believe hundreds of buildings have been damaged or destroyed as fires burned in Sevier County, just outside Knoxville. The county is home to the popular tourist destinations of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

The fire has not claimed any lives, although three people suffered serious burns and a fourth was under evaluation at the University of Tennessee's Knoxville hospital with burns to his or her face.

Here are five things to know about the fire:

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

About the Author