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HomeNewsOutdoor Grilling Ban has been lifted by Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Outdoor Grilling Ban has been lifted by Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Burn Ban Still In Effect for Montgomery County

The Tennessee Department of AgricultureNashville, TN – The ban on outdoor grilling has been lifted by the Department of Agriculture. The Burn Ban itself is still in place for Montgomery County and 22 other counties across Tennessee. A public notice will be given when the burn ban it totally lifted.

The burn ban has been lifted for Henderson, Lewis and Stewart counties.

The burn ban issued by Tennessee State Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson is still in place for for 23 counties in Tennessee. They include: Cheatham, Crockett, Dickson, Dyer, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Lake, Lawrence, Loudon, Marion, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Morgan, Overton, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Tipton, Williamson and Wilson Counties.

These burn bans are in effect until lifted by order of the commissioner.

The bans apply to all open-air burning including leaf and woody debris and construction burning, campfires, outdoor grills and other fire activity outside of municipalities where local ordinances apply. See examples of prohibited burning below.

Under state law, the commissioner of agriculture, in consultation with the state forester, has the authority to issue burn bans at the request of county mayors under certain weather conditions. The request by county mayors is completed following mutual agreement with the TN Division of Forestry’s District Forester whose district includes that county.

“We’re working with local government officials in cooperation with our field personnel to take action when requested and where appropriate to reduce the risk to citizens, property and emergency workers who are on the frontline of responding to wildland fires,” Johnson said. “With the extremely dry conditions and little prospect for rain anytime soon, we want to encourage the public to use good judgment and to avoid all situations that can cause fire, even in areas not covered under a burn ban.”

A violation of a Commissioner of Agriculture imposed burn ban is considered reckless burning and is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor which carries a fine of $2,500 and/or up to 11 months 29 days in jail.

Examples of prohibited fires or burning:

  • Leaves
  • Brush
  • Fence rows
  • Ditch banks
  • Construction debris (boards, plywood, decking,etc.)
  • Fields
  • Gardens
  • Wooded areas
  • Grassland
  • Campfires
  • Cooking fires
  • Burn barrels
  • Household waste
  • Cardboard
  • Air curtain destructors

Fireworks are not prohibited by the Commissioner of Agriculture Burn Ban. However, starting a fire by way of a firework can be considered reckless burning under Tennessee state law 39-14-304 which carries the same penalty as a violation of the burn ban.

Campgrounds that are administered by State or Federal Government may impose their own limits on campfires and cooking fires within their property.

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