While burn permits from the Tennessee Division of Forestry are not required for residents outside the Fayetteville City limits in Lincoln County from May 16 through Oct. 14, there are numerous laws governing open burning and fines and/or jail time for those who don’t heed the statutes.

“Permits are still required through May 15,” said Doug Campbell, Lincoln County fire chief and Emergency Management Agency director. From Oct. 15 through May 15 free permits for county residents may be obtained by calling toll free 1-877-350-BURN (2876) between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Weekend burn permits are issued by phone on Fridays. Permits can also be obtained online at www.burnsafetn.org. seven days a week including after work hours for burning of leaves and brush piles measuring less than 8-feet-by-8feet in an area. Burning without a permit during the seven month period is a prosecutable Class C misdemeanor in Tennessee, punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a $50 fine or both. Reckless burning carries some stiff financial penalties, according to Forestry officials. Reckless burning is a Class A misdemeanor which can carry a jail sentence of up to 11 months, 29 days and/or a $2,500 fine, as stated by state officials.

According to theTN. gov website, fires that start as a result of escaped debris are the leading cause of wildfires in Tennessee and the across the country. According to state law, the individual who starts the fire may be liable for any damage the fire and smoke causes to other people’s property. Individuals who burn must stay with their fire until it is completely out and cooled, as stated on TN.gov website.

Under state law, the Commissioner of Agriculture, in consultation with the state forester, has the authority to issue burn bans at the request of county mayors under certain weather conditions. The bans apply to all open-air burning, including leaf and woody debris and construction burning, campfires, outdoor grills, and other fire activity outside of municipalities where ordinances apply.

For a complete list of wildfire laws, go to https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/ prevention/ safe-debris-burning/tnwildfire- fire-laws.html.

According to Campbell, the Lincoln County Volunteer Fire Department collectively answered 79 calls in the month of March including medical calls: 32, vehicle accidents: 17; vehicle fire: 1; traffic hazards: 2, fire or fire alarms: 6, complaints: 4, brush fires: 12, and structure fires: 5.

Burn permits required with City of Fayetteville

Residents within the City of Fayetteville are required to obtain burn permits to safely burn brush and tree limbs that have been growing on the site of the burn. Material cannot be sent to the site where the burn occurs and cannot include any lumber from building construction or other construction components. The location for open burning must be 50 feet or more from any structure in the city, with the exception of fires in approved containers.

Weather conditions dictate the approval of burn permits. No burning is allowed when sustained winds are above 10 miles per hour (mph) or during extreme drought. Due to changing weather conditions, permits will not be issued more than 24 hours in advance and are only good the day of the burn, according to city ordinances.

Open burning without a permit inside the City of Fayetteville is a violation and subject to a fine of $250 for malicious burning, as stated on the City’s website.

For a complete list of the laws governing burning inside the city, go to fayettevilletn.com and click on fire departments. Burn permits for the city may be obtained by calling the Fayetteville Fire Department at 931-433–

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