TN Wildland Fire

One of the most important tools in aerial firefighting is the Bambi Bucket. But what exactly is it?

A Bambi Bucket is a collapsible, lightweight container that hangs beneath a helicopter on a cable. Pilots dip the bucket into nearby lakes, rivers or ponds, scoop up hundreds of gallons of water in seconds and then drop it precisely on the flames below. This rapid water delivery helps slow a fire's spread, cool hot spots and support the ground crews working underneath.

The photos posted here aren't from an actual fire... they're from a recent training exercise. Training is how our aviation partners and ground crews stay ready to respond quickly and safely when wildfires do strike. 🔥

Today, we remember the brave men and women who gave everything in service to our country. Their courage and sacrifice shaped the freedoms we enjoy, including the freedom to gather, explore and protect the land we love. To the Gold Star families: we honor your loved ones today and always.

Memorial Day weekend is almost here... which means grills across Tennessee will be firing up. Before you light those coals, take a minute to think about what happens AFTER the burgers come off.

Coals can stay hot enough to start a fire for 24 to 48 hours after grilling, even when they look and feel completely cold. Every year, improperly discarded ashes spark fires in trash cans, garages, decks and dry vegetation.

Here's how to dispose of charcoal the safe way:

✅ Close the lid and vents on your grill to let coals burn out completely
✅ Douse the ashes thoroughly with water and stir until cold to the touch
✅ Wait at least 48 hours before final disposal
✅ Transfer cooled ashes to a metal container with a tight-fitting lid
✅ Place that container on a non-flammable surface, away from your home, deck or any vegetation
✅ Never dump ashes in the trash, leaves or mulch

A few extra minutes of cleanup can prevent a wildfire that puts your home, your family and your neighborhoods at risk.

Grill smart. Dispose smarter.

Before you burn, know the law. 🔥

Tennessee has fire laws in place to protect lives, property and our forests. And violating them can result in fines or criminal charges.

Learn what's required before you light a fire this season: https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/learn/tn-wildfire-fire-laws.html

Mark your calendars 🗓️ Burn permits are not required in Tennessee from May 16 through October 14.

Every year, the Tennessee Division of Forestry requires free burn permits from October 15 through May 15. Why those dates? That window is Tennessee's wildfire season, when drier conditions, fallen leaves and lower humidity make it easier for a small backyard fire to escape and turn into something much bigger.

Permits help us track outdoor burning during the riskiest months and keep our forests and neighborhoods safer, while also communicating with the public (that's you!) about when and where it is safe enough to burn at any given time.

Once we move into late spring, summer and early fall, greener vegetation and higher humidity reduce the fire risk... which is why permits aren't required during that stretch.

A few things to keep in mind before you strike a match:

🔥 Some cities and counties have their own burning rules year-round. Always check with your local government before lighting it up.
🔥 Never leave a fire unattended and always have water or tools nearby to control it.
🔥 Watch the wind. Even on a "safe" day, gusts can carry embers farther than you'd think.

Burn permit season may be ending, but fire safety doesn't take a break. Stay smart and stay safe out there, Tennessee! 🌲

https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/prevention/safe-debris-burning/permits/county-municipality-list.html

Before our wildland firefighters can step onto the fireline, they have to prove they're ready for the work. That's why, every year, our firefighters do the Work Capacity Test, better known as the "Pack Test." 💪

This is a job-related fitness test developed by the U.S. Forest Service to make sure wildland fire crews can handle the physical demands of wildland firefighting. There are three levels you'll see our team training for:

🥾 Arduous: a 3-mile hike carrying a 45-pound pack, completed in 45 minutes. This is the standard for frontline firefighters who dig line, swing tools and work long shifts in rugged terrain.

🥾 Moderate: a 2-mile hike with a 25-pound pack in 30 minutes. This level is for positions like safety officers and fire behavior analysts, who still need to move confidently in the field.

🥾 Light: a 1-mile walk in 16 minutes, no pack required. This level supports personnel whose roles are mostly office-based but who may have occasional field activity during fire operations.

And the tricky part is that there is no running or jogging allowed at any of these levels!

Why does this training matter? Wildland firefighting is one of the most physically demanding jobs out there. Crews carry heavy gear up steep slopes, work long hours in heat and smoke and need the endurance to keep themselves and their teammates safe.

The Pack Test isn't just a checkbox... it's how we make sure every member of our team is ready when Tennessee needs them.

A huge shoutout to our crews putting in the miles to be ready for fire season. Your preparation protects our forests, our neighborhoods and each other. 👏🔥

Learn more about the Work Capacity Test here:https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/Work-Capacity-Test-brochure.pdf

Ever wondered what heavy equipment has to do with fighting wildfires? More than you might think!

Bulldozers push through brush, trees and debris to carve out wide strips of bare soil that make it difficult for fire to cross and continue to grow.

Here's how it works: operators drive heavy equipment along strategic lines, scraping away everything down to mineral soil. No vegetation means no fuel and that means no path for the fire to grow.

Different strategies handle different jobs. Bulldozers tackle accessible terrain while handcrews put in firelines where dozers can't drive.

Timing and planning are everything. Crews determine where a fireline will be most effective, considering factors like wind patterns, terrain and the fire's direction. A well-placed fireline built by skilled operators or a handcrew can be the difference between a fire raging on and a community staying safe.

Next time you see heavy equipment on the move during fire season, know that those operators are out there building the barriers that protect our homes and wildlands!

🔥🌲 Tennessee FFA Forestry Camp 2026: Registration is OPEN!

Since 1950, Tennessee's Forestry Camp has been giving high school students a one-of-a-kind, hands-on experience in the woods. One of the highlights every year happens to be Fire Use.

During camp, students get to learn from professional foresters and wildland firefighters and discover the real-world skills behind wildland fire management. Students have the opportunity to use wildland fire hand tools and to see if they can deploy a fire shelter fast enough to be a wildland firefighter!

They also learn why prescribed fire is one of our best tools for keeping Tennessee's forests healthy, and how wildfire prevention starts with understanding fire itself.

Finally, students dive into the history of Tennessee's fire towers, the lookouts that helped protect our forests for generations and shaped the way we manage wildland fire today.

It's one week that can spark a lifelong passion for forestry and conservation.

📅 May 31 – June 5, 2026
📍 Fall Creek Falls State Park, Pikeville, TN
👥 Rising juniors & seniors... 60 spots, first come first served
💰 $95 early registration (before May 8) / $120 after

Teachers: Collect applications and mail them in by May 8th. Details and applications at the link below.
🔗 tnffa.org/forestry-camp

Spread the word and tag a student or advisor who needs to know about this!

Wildfires across the United States have cost more than 200 lives and more than $45 billion in property losses in just the last three years. That’s why southern state forestry agencies are urging communities to take steps to improve their wildfire safety. If your community is interested in learning more about wildfire resilience, contact your local state forestry office or review this toolkit from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): https://ow.ly/vEZh50YTXA0

Why don't we compost instead of debris burning? Isn't that better for environment and prevents air pollution?

Prescribed fire is one of the most effective and time-tested tools in forest and land management. When applied by trained professionals under carefully planned conditions, it delivers powerful benefits for Tennessee's forests and the communities that depend on them.

Here is why prescribed fire matters:

🔥 Vegetation Management: Prescribed fire clears out excess vegetation, dead leaves and accumulated debris. This reduces the buildup of flammable materials on the forest floor, lowering the risk of larger, more destructive wildfires.

🌱 Nutrient Recycling: When organic material burns, it releases nutrients like potassium and phosphorus back into the soil, enriching it and promoting healthy plant growth for seasons to come.

🪲 Pest and Disease Control: Fire can eliminate pests, fungi and diseases present in dead or decaying vegetation, preventing them from spreading to healthy trees and plants nearby.

🌲 Land Preparation: For forestry and wildlife management purposes, prescribed fire prepares the landscape by clearing unwanted vegetation, improving soil conditions and creating habitat for native plant and animal species.

Prescribed fire is a science-driven practice that requires careful planning, trained personnel and the right weather conditions. To learn more about how the Tennessee Division of Forestry uses prescribed fire to protect and manage Tennessee's forests, visit the link in the comments!