From Oct. 15 thru May 15, all persons doing outdoor burning in Tennessee are required to obtain a free of cost burn permit from the Tennessee Dept of Agriculture, Forestry Division.

Burning without a permit during this time period is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a $50 fine, as well as suppression costs.

To obtain a permit, call your local forestry office Monday thru Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Permitting allows the Division to stop burning if conditions are extreme, and to prevent wasted time and gas used responding to false alarms.

Remember that you are responsible for your fire and any damages incurred should it escape, as well as liable for suppression costs from state Forestry and any fire departments that have to put out the escaped fire. If you have questions about burning conditions or how to maintain a safe fire, or if you have information about arson fires, contact your county Forestry office. If you questions/ concern about air quality/ pollution regulations, contact the state Dept of Environment & Conservation at 1-888-891-TDEC, or www.tdec.net/apc.

Weather conditions in East Tennessee continue to be extremely dry. Humidity has been dropping to under 30 percent in areas, and we continue to have windy days. These are two primary conditions that cause fire danger to go up. The Division of Forestry would encourage composting or disposal of wood waste during these extremes, as outdoor burning can be hazardous.

If you do burn, make sure you take the following safety tips: 1) do not burn adjacent to forest or grassland, 2) watch the wind, 3) have tools and help on hand to contain the fire, 4) dig a line down to mineral soil around the fire, 5) notify your neighbors, 6) get a permit, check local burn ordinances and 6) do not leave your fire until it is completely out (a state law).

Finally, if you live in or near the forest or in the "Wildland Urban Interface", take time to make sure that your home or property can survive a wildfire. The easiest way to get started in to go to the State Forestry Divisions website and download the free FIREWISE brochure at the following website: http://burnsafetn.org/.

Remember, you as a homeowner have the prime responsibility for your homes safety, and if firefighters are unable/ unavailable to defend a structure without putting themselves in danger, it would be more likely to burn.

Numbers to call for a burn permit in East TN District Counties

Cocke County (423) 623-1077

Greene County (423) 638-7841

Hamblen County (423) 586-2497

Jefferson County (865) 475-3467

Sevier County (865) 429-7020