State Issues Burn Ban for Four Counties
NASHVILLE — State Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton has issued a burn ban for Claiborne, Jefferson, Loudon and Sevier counties. The burn ban is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice.
The ban applies to all open-air burning including leaf and woody debris and construction burning, campfires, outdoor grills and other fire activity in areas outside of municipalities where local ordinances apply.
Counties not listed under the ban require a safe debris burning permit now through May 15, 2017 from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Division of Forestry (exceptions: Davidson, Knox, Madison and Shelby, which never allow debris burning). Permits will only be issued where and when it is determined to be safe to do so.
“Due to dry conditions and little prospect for rain, firefighters are seeing an increase in fire activity across the state,” Commissioner Templeton said. “The public should use good judgment and avoid situations that cause fire and put citizens, property and emergency workers at risk.”
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. Requests for a burn ban are considered based on a number of factors including weather, climate, fire danger, fire occurrence and resource availability.
A violation of a burn ban issued by the Commissioner 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.
Major causes of fire so far this fall include sparks from field equipment and vehicles, escaped campfires, and arson. Citizens can help support their local fire departments by checking for and following local burn restrictions and quickly reporting any wildfire.
Current county burn bans, additional fire safety tips and wildfire information can be found on the TDA Division of Forestry’s wildfire prevention website at www.burnsafetn.org.
Editor’s Note: A press release from TDA will not necessarily be released for each new county added to the list of the Commissioner of Agriculture Burn Bans. Please check www.burnsafetn.org for updated information.
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