Fire danger limits burn permits across state today
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 10:25 am NASHVILLE - Burn permits will not be issued today across much of the state including counties in Middle Tennessee, the Cumberland Plateau, and parts of East and West Tennessee. A forecast for strong winds and the low relative humidity increase the risk for a controlled debris burn to become a wildfire. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry will not be issuing any burn permits online today. The Division will issue permits by phone in some counties, provided certain conditions are met. The county phone number directory is available at burnsafetn.org/phonepermit.html. • Check with local authorities to make sure there are no local restrictions on burning, especially in cities and towns that have their own burn permit system. • Notify your local fire department and neighbors of your plans to burn. • Do not burn on windy days and stay abreast of changing weather conditions. • Establish control lines down to bare mineral soil at least five feet wide around burn piles. • Keep fire containment equipment on hand during the fire (e.g. rake, shovel, water). • Stay with the fire until it is completely out. Visit www.BurnSafeTN.org for additional tips to burn safely and to protect your community. Since first employed in the early 1990s, the Division of Forestry's burn permitting program has successfully reduced the number of escaped debris burns by effectively communicating with citizens as to where, when, and how to conduct a safe debris burn. You will find more information about the Division and its programs at www.tn.gov/agriculture/section/forests.
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