Tennessee officials are sounding the alarm on wildfire risks, making it clear that if you're looking to burn some leaf piles or brush, you're going to need a permit to do so. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Forestry Division insists that through May 15, a burn permit is absolutely required for all open-air fires outside of areas with stricter local rules.
State Forester Heather Slayton didn't beat around the bush, "Fire prevention starts with each of us practicing safe burning and only burning when it's safe. The burn permit process communicates to residents the safe locations and times for open burning," Slayton urged in a statement. She warned that when conditions like high winds or severe drought hit, permit issuance may be temporarily shelved until it's safe again. The overall goal, says Slayton, is to look out for the safety of Tennessee's communities and the natural splendor they call home.
Those needing the green light to burn can grab a permit online at www.BurnSafeTN.org or through the MyTN mobile app. The permits, which are dished out at no cost, can be snagged seven days a week, anytime from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. across the Eastern and Central time zones, depending on where you're lighting the match. These permits cover everything from backyard brush fires to fully-fledged prescribed burns, serving purposes like land clearing or agriculture.
For folks not internet-savvy, ringing 877-350-BURN (2876) will connect them to a friendly forester Monday through Friday who can help get that permit squared away. They can call from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time, provided it's not a holiday. A critical thing to note is that permits turn into pumpkins at midnight on the day they're issued, meaning fires must be snuffed out before the clock strikes twelve.
