CURRENT DEBRIS BURN PERMIT STATUS:
A BURN PERMIT IS
REQUIRED FROM THE STATE

Tennessee Wildfire Laws

Burn permits are required from the Tennessee Division of Forestry from October 15, 2023 to May 15, 2023
for debris piles in areas without local restrictions.

Check local restrictions in your area prior to conducting any burning activity.

For information on what materials may NOT be burned in Tennessee, please visit:
 Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Open Burning Guidelines. 
To report illegal burning, please call toll-free 1-888-891-TDEC

How to Conduct a Safe Debris Burn

Get a Permit October 15 to May 15

Burn permits are FREE.  Burning permits focus attention on the safe use of fire. From October 15 through May 15, anyone starting an open-air fire within 500 feet of a forest, grassland, or woodland must by law secure a burning permit from the Division of Forestry. Permits are not required for burning in containers such as a metal barrel with a ½" mesh screen cover. Anyone needing to burn within an incorporated city should contact city authorities about any local burning ordinances. Many towns and cities have their own burning regulations that supersede the Division of Forestry’s burning permit program.

Notify your neighbors

If you are burning wooded land be sure to let adjacent landowners know of your plans to burn at least 2 days in advance. This will help your neighbors and keep you in compliance with the law. 

Keep Water and Tools Handy

Have an available supply of water and hand tools such as rakes and shovels nearby in case your fire should get away. Mechanized equipment may be necessary to contain fires when weather and fuel conditions make control difficult. 

Establish Fire Breaks

Rake or plow a firebreak around the area you want to burn. Firebreaks should be clean of vegetation and wide enough to contain flames and flying embers. When burning piles the firebreak must be wide enough to catch rolling debris. The taller the vegetation the wider the firebreak should be. It should expose a swath of bare ground at least 3 feet wide through leaves or short grass. It should be at least 5 feet wide through tall grass or brush. 

Watch the Weather

Stay informed about possible weather changes. Wind and relative humidity are important weather considerations. Approaching fronts and thunderstorms may change wind directions and generate strong gusts. Outdoor burning should be postponed when winds are high, relative humidities low, and wind gusts are predicted. 

Generally, burning permits are not issued on dry, windy days. Even if you have a permit, you should stop burning if a strong wind comes up. Winds may not only carry burning embers into surrounding vegetation but also fan the flames making the fire difficult to control. 

Mornings and early evenings are usually good times to burn because winds are calmer and the relative humidity is higher. Be sure to complete your burning early enough that your smoke will disperse and does not become a health or highway hazard. 

Control the Fire

Your fire is your responsibility! You may be liable for any damages your fire and smoke cause to other people’s property! 

Be sure you have enough help. Don’t try to burn more than you can handle by yourself. Keep debris piles small, gradually adding to the fires as they burn down. Large piles of burning debris generate intense heat capable of carrying relatively heavy embers up and across control lines. 

Select a burn location away from overhanging tree branches and overhead and underground utility lines. Intense heat from a fire could ignite leaves of trees or cause damage to branches and tree trunks. It could also damage utility lines.

Stay With Your Fire

Don’t leave your fire until it is completely out and cold, regardless of the time of day. This requirement not only applies to homeowners, but also to contractors conducting debris fires while land clearing. Use plenty of water, douse the embers and mix them with dirt until they are cool and safe. Brush and debris piles can appear to be burned out, but a gust of wind can fan embers causing them to flame or blow across control lines. Within minutes a calm situation can become a wildfire! 

SHOULD YOUR FIRE ESCAPE AND SPREAD, CALL 911 RIGHT AWAY.