2008 Woodie Awards
If you must burn, do it legally
Chase Elliott
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: Campus News
Many people don't realize the laws of burning in Tennessee. There are state guidelines that must be followed to burn open fires legally.
In Tennessee, it is illegal to start an open fire between Oct. 15 and May 15 without first receiving a permit from the state forester or the local fire department.
The burn permits were set up so that officials would know when and where fires would be taking place in case a fire broke out. These permits are free to anyone in the city or county.
There are many levels of consequences for burning fires illegally. Any fire set between Oct. 15 and May 15 without a legal permit in the city or county is a Class C misdemeanor, which consists of 30 days in jail and/or a $50 fine plus court costs.
In Weakley County this would be about a $270 fine.
Another violation would be that of reckless burning. A person who sets a fire on their own land and recklessly allows the fire to escape and burn the property of another commits a violation of reckless burning, which is a Class A misdemeanor. This offense consists of up to 11 months, 29 days in jail and/or a $2,500 fine plus court costs.
There are other misdemeanor and felony charges that an individual can receive from burning illegally.
Any felony or misdemeanor charge received for a violation of burning stays on your criminal record for the rest of your life.
Tennessee also issues statewide burn bans that prevent any burning at all during certain weather conditions such as low humidity and high winds. During these conditions, there is a great possibility that fires can spread quickly and uncontrollably.
The state burn bans are only put into effect by the governor of Tennessee and only apply for people who live outside the city limits of any town. Each city has its own regulations on when burn bans are established, but Martin adheres to the bans set by the governor and state Division of Forestry when these bans are in effect.
According to Denny Davidson, state forestry technician, "There are an average of 100 county fires a year, and the worst two months are March and November."
Last year in Weakley County, the Division of Forestry issued 3,400 burning permits for county residents alone.
Burning permits are not required during the summer months.
If you wish to receive a burn permit and live within the city limits of Martin, call the Martin Fire Department at 731-587-4919.
If you live outside the city limits in the counties of Weakley, Obion and Gibson, or have any questions about the burning laws, call Denny Davidson at the Tennessee Division of Forestry in Dresden at 731-364-2541.
In Tennessee, it is illegal to start an open fire between Oct. 15 and May 15 without first receiving a permit from the state forester or the local fire department.
The burn permits were set up so that officials would know when and where fires would be taking place in case a fire broke out. These permits are free to anyone in the city or county.
There are many levels of consequences for burning fires illegally. Any fire set between Oct. 15 and May 15 without a legal permit in the city or county is a Class C misdemeanor, which consists of 30 days in jail and/or a $50 fine plus court costs.
In Weakley County this would be about a $270 fine.
Another violation would be that of reckless burning. A person who sets a fire on their own land and recklessly allows the fire to escape and burn the property of another commits a violation of reckless burning, which is a Class A misdemeanor. This offense consists of up to 11 months, 29 days in jail and/or a $2,500 fine plus court costs.
There are other misdemeanor and felony charges that an individual can receive from burning illegally.
Any felony or misdemeanor charge received for a violation of burning stays on your criminal record for the rest of your life.
Tennessee also issues statewide burn bans that prevent any burning at all during certain weather conditions such as low humidity and high winds. During these conditions, there is a great possibility that fires can spread quickly and uncontrollably.
The state burn bans are only put into effect by the governor of Tennessee and only apply for people who live outside the city limits of any town. Each city has its own regulations on when burn bans are established, but Martin adheres to the bans set by the governor and state Division of Forestry when these bans are in effect.
According to Denny Davidson, state forestry technician, "There are an average of 100 county fires a year, and the worst two months are March and November."
Last year in Weakley County, the Division of Forestry issued 3,400 burning permits for county residents alone.
Burning permits are not required during the summer months.
If you wish to receive a burn permit and live within the city limits of Martin, call the Martin Fire Department at 731-587-4919.
If you live outside the city limits in the counties of Weakley, Obion and Gibson, or have any questions about the burning laws, call Denny Davidson at the Tennessee Division of Forestry in Dresden at 731-364-2541.
Be the first to comment on this story