October 15th to May 15th is wildfire season. Do you know what you can do to keep your home and family safe?
When it is safe to conduct a controlled burn, remember the following tips:
- 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 burning permit system.
- 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.
Need a burn permit? You have two options:
- By phone: Burning permits by phone are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays. Permits may be obtained in advance for weekends and holidays.
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- Washington County (423) 753-4011
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- Greene County (423) 638-7841
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- Sullivan County (423) 239-5811
- Online: Permits issued by the Division of Forestry are also available online any day of the week from 8am – 11pm Central Time. Click here to obtain a permit online.