Burn Ban Issued in Williamson County, Tennessee
Extended Drought Conditions Elevate Area Fire Risk to Extreme
State Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Charlie Hatcher, after consultation with Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson and the District Forester, has issued a burn ban in the unincorporated areas of Williamson County in response to the county’s extreme fire risk, current and forecasted weather, and the increase in wildland fires.
This ban shall not apply within the corporate limits of any incorporated town or city which has passed ordinances controlling the setting of fires. During Tennessee’s typical fall and spring wildfire seasons, TDF requires a safe debris burning permit to conduct a debris burn in rural areas between October 15 and May 15 as a preventive tool to raise awareness with residents on how to safely conduct a debris burn and as a communication tool to make residents aware of when it is not safe to burn by not issuing them a permit. This is an effective tool under most conditions during the fire seasons. However, if weather and/or drought conditions create above-normal chances for wildfire, other preventative measures are considered.
A burn ban is intended to prohibit knowingly starting an open-air fire. An “Open air fire” is defined as any fire that is burning in the outdoors, including confined fires. Open air fire is not to be confused with “Open Burning” as defined by the Division of Air Pollution Control as “the burning of any matter under such conditions that products of combustion are emitted directly into the open atmosphere without passing directly through a stack.” Examples of prohibited fires under county burn bans include, but are not limited to:
- leaves, brush
- fence rows, ditch banks
- construction debris, boards, plywood, decking, cardboard, etc.
- fields, grassland
- gardens
- wooded areas
- campfires, cooking fires
- charcoal or wood-fired grills (but not natural or propane gas-fired)
- burn barrels
- household waste
- air curtain destructors/trench burners/air curtain incinerators
Burn bans under TCA 39-14-306 are issued exclusively by the Commissioner of Agriculture and only after consultation with the State Forester and the County Mayor of impacted counties.
The ban on outdoor burning will last until it is lifted by the Commissioner of Agriculture at the recommendation of the County Mayor or the District Forester. The state website shares information about burn bans here: https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/prevention/safe-debris-burning/burn-bans.html
If you have questions, contact Williamson County Emergency Management Agency External Affairs Officer Jill Burgin at jill.burgin@williamsoncounty-tn.gov.
November 10, 2023