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Tennessee Department of Agriculture reminds Tennesseans that Burn Permits required through May 15th, 2014

Record low number of fires in 2013

The Tennessee Department of AgricultureNashville, TN – With Spring drawing near, Tennesseans begin to take advantage of the mild weather to do some outdoor work around the home or farm. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry wants to remind citizens that if they are considering doing outdoor burning, a burn permit is required.

In 2013, the Division of Forestry recorded the lowest number of wildland fires since 1927. There were a total of 639 wildfires that burned 9,033 acres (lowest burned acreage was 7,110 in 2003). Increased efforts in fire prevention and suppression contributed to this record low, and landowners getting burn permits to conduct safe debris burning played a major role in that effort.

“We’re hoping to see a continuation of that trend this year and need our citizens’ help,” said state forester Jere Jeter. “Burning leaves and brush that has accumulated around the yard or using fire to clear an old field can be an efficient way to get rid of such vegetation. However, it is very important that citizens practice safe outdoor burning. Obtaining a burn permit in advance of outdoor burning is our way of making the public aware of those recommendations and helping them know when, where, and how it is safe to burn.”

The free burn permits are required in all areas of the state by law until May 15th unless otherwise covered by local ordinances. Residents should check with their city and county government for any local restrictions.

Permits can be obtained online for small scale burning of leaf and brush piles measuring less than 8 feet by 8 feet in area. The online system provides permit access through the weekend and after-work hours for landowners. These permits can be obtained on days and in counties where burn permits are allowed by visiting www.burnsafetn.org . The website is also a good source of information for safe debris burning practices and fire prevention tips including how to protect your home in the event of a wildfire.

The permits can also be obtained by calling your local Division of Forestry office between the hours of 8:00am to 4:30pm. Monday thru Friday. Permits are generally good for 24 hours and can be issued for weekend burning. Phone numbers for each office can be found in the state government section of your local phone book, or by visiting www.burnsafetn.org .

More than 377,000 permits were issued last year for outdoor burning of brush and leaves, untreated wood waste, and burning to clear land. The volume of requests on any given day can be high and callers may experience a delay. The online burn permit system is an alternative for small debris piles.

Once a burn permit is obtained, debris burners should practice common sense while conducting a burn.

This includes:

  • Establish a control line around the fire, down to bare soil before conducting the burn.
  • Notify neighbors and local fire departments in advance as a courtesy.
  • Have tools on hand such as a leaf rake and garden hose or bucket of water to help control the fire.
  • Watch for changing weather conditions as winds can blow the fire in the wrong direction.
  • Always stay with your fire until it is completely out. It is not only the smart thing to do, but it is also illegal to leave an open fire unattended.

Despite the low number of fires in 2013, escaped debris burns were still the leading cause of wildfires in Tennessee last year accounting for 243 fires that burned nearly 1,600 acres.

The Division’s burn permit system has dramatically helped reduce the numbers of escaped burns since the program began in 1995. Burning without a permit is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $50.00.

Wildfires caused by arson were the second leading cause last year, but accounted for the largest acreage, burning nearly 5,400 acres. Wildland arson is a class C felony punishable by three to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 fines. Anyone with information about suspected arson activity should call the state Fire Marshal’s Arson Hotline toll-free at 1.800.762.3017.

For more information on the TDA’s Division of Forestry, visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/forestry. For more information on safe debris burning, visit www.burnsafetn.org.

Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry

The Division, which is celebrating their 100th anniversary as a state agency this year, works to conserve, protect and enhance forests that cover half the state and provide jobs, timber, clean water, wildlife habitat and recreation.

www.TN.gov/agriculture/forestry

Obtaining a Burning Permit by Phone

Permits are free of charge and may be obtained by calling the phone number listed below for the county in which the burning will be done. Burning permits are available Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm, except on holidays. Permits may be obtained in advance for weekends and holidays.

Anderson: 865.494.9434
Bedford: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Benton: 731.584.7630
Bledsoe: 423.881.3585
Blount: 865.982.6264
Bradley: 423.478.0337
Campbell: 423.562.7838
Cannon: 615.765.7373
Carroll: 731.986.5550
Carter: 423.725.3281
Cheatham: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Chester: 731.989.5252
Claiborne: 423.869.8275
Clay 243 and 258 exchanges call 931.823.6538; 699 exchanges call 615.666.4111
Cocke: 423.623.1077
Coffee: 877.731.2221
Crockett: 866.468.4784
Cumberland: 931.788.5538 or: 931.484.4548
Davidson No debris burning allowed; visit nashfire.org for more information.
Decatur: 731.847.2254
Dekalb: W. of Caney Fork R.),: 615.597.4015: E. of Caney Fork R.),: 931.839.2328
Dickson: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Dyer: 731.285.4647
Fayette: 901.465.7349
Fentress: 931.879.7173
Franklin: 931.598.5535
Gibson: 866.570.3907
Giles: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Grainger: 865.767.2161
Greene: 423.638.7841
Grundy: 931.692.3732
Hamblen: 423.586.2497
Hamilton East:: 423.478.0337, West:: 423.332.3228
Hancock: 423.733.2923
Hardeman: 731.658.2213
Hardin: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Hawkins: 423.345.2147
Haywood: 866.570.4024
Henderson: 731.968.5724
Henry: 731.642.3808
Hickman: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Houston: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Humphreys: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Jackson: 931.621.3333
Jefferson: 865.475.3467
Johnson: 423.725.3281
Knox: 865.215.5900 Air Poll. Cont.
Lake: 866.468.4784
Lauderdale: 731.635.1105
Lawrence: 931.766.1413 or: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Lewis: 931.796.2721 or: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Lincoln: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Loudon: 865.986.8395
McMinn: 423.263.7181
McNairy: 731.645.5485
Macon: 615.666.4111
Madison No TDA permit needed, call local fire dept first
Marion: 423.942.3665
Marshall: 931.270.2244 or: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Maury: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Meigs: 423.745.5729
Monroe: 423.442.7401
Montgomery: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Moore: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Morgan: 423.346.6655
Obion: 866.570.3907
Overton: 931.823.6538
Perry: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Pickett: 931.864.3466
Polk: 423.338.8395 for Benton area,: 423.496.4339 for Ducktown area
Putnam: 931.839.2328
Rhea: 423.775.0151
Roane: 865.354.1054
Robertson: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Rutherford: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Scott: 423.569.4175 or: 423.627.2250
Sequatchie: 423.949.2925
Sevier: 865.429.7020
Shelby Municipal permit required; call local fire dept first
Smith: 615.683.6361
Stewart: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Sullivan: 423.239.5811
Sumner: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Tipton: 866.570.4165
Trousdale: 615.374.3601
Unicoi: 423.753.4011
Union: 865.278.3348
Van Buren: 931.946.2401
Warren: 931.635.2754
Washington: 423.753.4011
Wayne: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Weakley: 731.364.2541
White: 931.657.2410
Williamson: 877.350.BURN (2876)
Wilson: 877.350.BURN (2876)

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