Country music icon Dolly Parton has set up a fund to help the victims of the recent wildfires that wreaked devastation upon Tennessee, and said that her charity will donate $1,000 a month to families that have “lost everything”.

The 70 year old legend said in a new video statement that her organisation would provide help to families affected by the fires “until they get back up on their feet”.

At least seven people are known to have died in the fires in Sevier County and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which at one point threatened her theme park Dollywood and caused it to be evacuated.

Dolly PartonDolly Parton has pledged to donate $1,000 per month to victims of the Tennessee fires

“I've always believed that charity begins at home,” Parton said in the video released on Wednesday (November 30th). “I know it's been a trying time for my people, and this assistance will help.”

The Dollywood Foundation also set up an online fund to which people can donate to help alleviate the effects on the victims.

More: Dolly Parton joins god-daughter Miley Cyrus for TV sing-along

In addition to the known fatalities, 45 people have been taken to hospital and more than 700 buildings are damaged. The fight to tame the fires continues as the city of Gatlinburg, seven miles south-east of Dollywood, is being mandatorily evacuated.

“I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains, and I am heartbroken,” Parton said in her first PSA video on Sunday. “I am praying for all the families affected by the fire - and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe.”

Parton’s god-daughter, Miley Cyrus, with whom she recently performed in a television sing-along, chipped in with praise for the country icon’s efforts in helping the victims of the ongoing disaster.

More: Dolly Parton performs with Katy Perry at the Country Music Awards