BURNING PERMITS REQUIRED
October 8, 2003
NASHVILLE, TENN, Oct. 15 marks the official start of forest fire season in Tennessee according to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry. During fire season, state law requires citizens to obtain a burning permit before conducting any type of open, outdoor burning.
“The burning permit system is a very important wildfire prevention tool,” said state forester Steve Scott. “Not only is getting a burning permit required by state law, but it serves as a useful way for us to communicate with citizens about how, when and where it is safe to burn.”
Although recent rains have significantly reduced fire activity, Scott says that unless regular rainfall occurs throughout the fire season, leaves and other forest fuels can quickly dry out and become a fire hazard.
Burning permits are required in all areas of the state unless restricted by local ordinance. Citizens can obtain a verbal burning permit by simply calling their local Division of Forestry office listed in the phone directory under state government. Residents in Crockett, Gibson, Haywood, Lake, Obion and Tipton counties can call toll-free 1-877-6PERMIT.
Activities requiring a burning permit include, but are not limited to unconfined, outdoor burning of:
· brush and leaves,
· untreated wood waste,
· and, burning to clear land.
According to Scott, more than 700 fires have burned 5,000 acres of forestland in Tennessee so far this year. Arson accounts for more than half of all forest fires says forestry officials. Anyone with information about suspected arson activity should call the state Fire Marshal’s Tennessee Arson Hotline toll-free at 1-800-762-3017.
Fire season runs from Oct. 15 to May 15 each year. During this time, persons burning without a permit are subject to a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a $50 fine or 30 days in jail. For more information about burning permits, call your local Division of Forestry office listed in the telephone directory under state government, or visit TDA’s Web site at www.state.tn.us/agriculture then select Fire Danger News for permit information.
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