Those looking to burn brush and debris piles from the devastation of Hurricane Helene will need to obtain a free burn permit, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture said.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Starting Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) will require a free burn permit before citizens can burn leaves or natural vegetation, including debris generated from Hurricane Helene.
“Due to the vast amount of woody debris from Hurricane Helene and other recent storms across the state, we expect more outdoor burning than usual this year,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “Since escaped debris burns are the leading cause of wildfires, it is important that Tennesseans take fire safety seriously. Burn permits are required by law and the tool by which we help citizens understand when and how to burn.”
Permits are only issued when conditions are ideal for burning. High winds or extreme drought conditions will see the TDF temporarily pause the issuance of burn permits until conditions improve.
Burn permits are free and can be obtained online at BurnSafeTN.org or by using the MyTN mobile app. Online permits are issued 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern or Central Time, depending on your location.
The TDF urges Tennesseans to obtain a permit on the day you intend to burn any size leaf, brush, or debris pile or conduct a prescribed fire. Each fire should be completely extinguished by the permit expiration, and no fire should be left unattended at any time.
Residents with limited internet access can also obtain burn permits via phone by calling 877-350-BURN (877-350-2876) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time.
If you live inside city limits, TDF says to check your local municipality for any additional burn restrictions before you burn.
Contact your local government for alternatives to burning for safe disposal of natural disaster debris and use those options whenever possible. Certain materials cannot be burned as a method of disposal, including vinyl siding or shingles, asphalt shingles or other asphalt roofing materials, an material containing asbestos, paints, household chemicals, agricultural chemicals, building material and construction debris, and tires and other rubber products.
However, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Air Pollution Control, allows an exception on the prohibition of banned materials burning if the items accumulated due to a natural disaster.
Those who experienced devastation due to Hurricane Helene, such as those in East Tennessee, would be able to burn some prohibited materials as part of the clean-up and recovery efforts.
Everyone must comply with basic conditions, which include but are not limited to:
Making a reasonable effort to remove all expressly prohibited materials from the natural disaster remains before ignition
Ensuring that a traffic hazard will not be caused by the air contaminants generated by the fire
Refraining from igniting a fire while any pollution emergency episode is in effect in the area of the burn
Ensuring that no other safe and/or practical means of disposal is available
Items that are never allowed to be burned, regardless of circumstances include tires and other rubber products; vinyl shingles and siding; other plastics; asphalt shingles and other asphalt roofing materials; and/or asbestos-containing materials.
If a governmental collective burn site for disposing of structural and household materials and/or vegetation damaged by a natural disaster is planned, a 3-day advance notice must be made to the Division prior to the burn. That notification may be made either in writing or verbally and must be delivered to the Division at the appropriate regional Environmental Field Office.
For East Tennesseans involved in hurricane cleanup, either the Knoxville or Johnson City field offices would be the appropriate point of contact.
A government should only propose collective burn locations that will have minimal impact on public health and safety. For example, stay away from homes and congested areas, schools, hospitals, highways, etc., according to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.