In the coming days, Tennesseans will be required to obtain burn permits before burning leaf and brush piles as the state attempts to prepare for its dry season and prevent wildfires.
The directive came down from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry (TDF), and residents of the Volunteer State will be required to obtain such burn permits by Sunday.
“There is a heightened risk of wildland fire this month in Tennessee,” State Forester David Arnold said. “Risks associated with careless debris burning are high, particularly during fire season when conditions are dry and natural fuel is abundant. If you plan to burn, you must obtain a permit where local governments don’t have established outdoor burning ordinances. Remember to stay with your fire, establish a safe perimeter, and keep tools on hand to control the burn.”
To streamline obtaining a permit, the state allows residents to apply on the MyTN mobile app or online at www.burnsafetn.org and must apply on the day they intend to burn.
Applications will be approved or denied based on weather conditions. On windy days, Tennesseeans may not be able to burn.
“Online permits may be obtained daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Eastern and Central time zones (based on your location) for any size leaf and/or brush burn pile, as well as prescribed fires and broadcast burning, such as for forestry, agricultural, or land clearing applications,” the department said. “Each fire should be completely extinguished by the permit expiration.”
Burning without a permit is a class C misdemeanor that could result in up to 30 days of jail time and a fine, according to TDF.
Permitting is no longer required after May 15.
TDF also offered the following tips for safely burning during the dry season:
- Check with local authorities to make sure there are no local restrictions on burning currently in place, especially in cities and towns that have their own outdoor burning ordinance.
- Notify your local fire department and neighbors to let them know your plans to burn.
- Do not burn on windy days.
- Stay abreast of changing weather conditions.
- Establish wide 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.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on X / Twitter.
