10/12/2026
10-12-2026
Burn permits required throughout the state starting Oct. 15
Oct 10, 2026
NASHVILLE — Beginning Oct. 15, Tennesseans must obtain a free burn permit before burning leaves or natural debris or conducting prescribed burns. As wildfire season begins, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) encourages residents and visitors to observe National Fire Prevention Week by practicing fire prevention and exercising extra caution when burning outdoors. Tennessee averages about 1,000 wildfires each year, burning approximately 18,000 acres.
“More than 90% of wildfires in Tennessee are caused by human activities, including escaped debris burns,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “That means individual actions matter — choosing to avoid burning on high fire danger days, getting a burn permit, taking steps to burn safely and staying with your fire until it is completely out can make a meaningful difference in preventing destructive wildfires in our state.”
TDF is Tennessee’s lead wildfire agency and is responsible by law for administering the burn permit system. Burn permits help TDF communicate when and where conditions are safe for burning and are issued only when fire danger is at an acceptable level. When hazardous conditions — such as high winds, very low humidity or extremely dry vegetation and debris — increase wildfire risk, TDF temporarily pauses permit issuance until conditions improve.
Burn permits are free and can be obtained at Burn Safe TN or by using the MyTN mobile app. Online permits are issued seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time. Residents and visitors must obtain a permit on the day they plan to burn a leaf or debris pile of any size or conduct a prescribed burn. Burning without a permit is a prosecutable Class C misdemeanor. Fires must be completely extinguished before the permit expires and must never be left unattended.
Residents with limited internet access may call 1-877-350-BURN (2876) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. Central time for a burn permit. Callers may experience lengthy wait times when call volume is high, so online applications are encouraged.
Individuals within city limits should check with their municipality for additional restrictions before burning.
Residents seeking to dispose of debris from Winter Storm Fern or Hurricane Helene should contact their local government about alternatives to burning and use those options whenever possible.
Information about burning debris from natural disasters, as well as a list of materials that are not allowed to be burned, can be found on the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s website. Call 1-888-891-TDEC to report illegal burning.
Tennessee’s wildfire season typically runs from mid-October to mid-May, with activity peaking in fall and spring when humidity and precipitation are low and dry leaves and debris are abundant. Despite high summer temperatures, fire occurrence is very low from June through September because humidity is high and vegetation is green and moist.
Visit Safe Debris Burning in Tennessee for tips to burn safely and to protect communities from wildfires.
To get updates on wildfire news and fire risk in Tennessee, follow on social media.
TDF protects Tennessee’s forests by fighting wildfires, coordinating emergency response and providing contract services, prescribed fire guidance and wildland fire training. Additionally, TDF advances the responsible use of forest resources by assisting landowners, providing quality seedlings, monitoring insects and diseases, improving urban forests, managing state forests, protecting water quality, and collecting forest inventory data. TDF also promotes primary and secondary forest industries to stimulate the state’s economy. Visit the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry for more information.
