Nashville, TN — Beginning October 15th, Tennesseans must obtain a free burn permit before burning leaves or natural debris or conducting prescribed burns.
As wildfire season begins, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) encourages residents and visitors to observe National Fire Prevention Week by practicing fire prevention and taking extra care when burning outdoors. Tennessee averages about 1,000 wildfires each year, burning approximately 18,000 acres.
Tennessee’s wildfire season typically runs from mid-October to mid-May. Activity peaks in fall and spring, when humidity and precipitation are low and dry leaves and debris are abundant. Despite high summer temperatures, fire occurrence is very low from June through September because humidity is high and vegetation is green and moist.
“More than 90% of wildfires in Tennessee are caused by human activities, including escaped debris burns,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “That means individual actions matter – choosing to avoid burning on high fire danger days, getting a burn permit, taking steps to burn safely and staying with your fire until it is completely out can make a meaningful difference in preventing destructive wildfires in our state.”
Why Burn Permits Matter
TDF is Tennessee’s lead wildfire agency and is responsible by law for administering the burn permit system. Burn permits help TDF communicate when and where conditions are safe for burning, and they are issued only when fire danger is at an acceptable level.
When hazardous conditions such as high winds, very low humidity, or extremely dry vegetation and debris increase wildfire risk, TDF temporarily pauses permit issuance until conditions improve.
How to Get a Permit
Burn permits are free and can be obtained at Burn Safe TN or through the MyTN mobile app. Online permits are issued seven days a week from 8:00am to 4:30pm local time.
Residents with limited internet access may call 1.877.350.BURN (2876) Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Central time, for a burn permit. Callers may experience lengthy wait times when call volume is high, so online applications are encouraged.
Burning Rules and Penalties
Residents and visitors must obtain a permit on the day they plan to burn a leaf or debris pile of any size or conduct a prescribed burn. Fires must be completely extinguished before the permit expires and must never be left unattended. Burning without a permit is a prosecutable Class C misdemeanor.
Individuals within city limits should check with their municipality for additional restrictions before burning.
Storm Debris and Illegal Burning
Residents disposing of debris from Winter Storm Fern or Hurricane Helene should contact their local government about alternatives to burning and use those options whenever possible.
Information about burning debris from natural disasters, along with a list of materials that may not be burned, is available on the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s website. To report illegal burning, call 1.888.891.TDEC (8332).
Safety Tips and Updates
Visit Safe Debris Burning in Tennessee for tips on burning safely and protecting communities from wildfires. For wildfire news and fire risk updates in Tennessee, follow @TNWildlandFire on social media.
About the Division of Forestry
TDF protects Tennessee’s forests by fighting wildfires, coordinating emergency response, and providing contract services, prescribed fire guidance and wildland fire training.
TDF also advances the responsible use of forest resources by assisting landowners, providing quality seedlings, monitoring insects and diseases, improving urban forests, managing state forests, protecting water quality, and collecting forest inventory data. The division promotes primary and secondary forest industries to stimulate the state’s economy. Visit the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry for more information.
