Burn Ban Lifted In Cookeville, Baxter, And Gainesboro

The City of Cookeville has lifted a burn ban issued more than a month ago.

Fire Chief Daryl Blair said normal operations will resume after the city received a little more than an inch of rain Monday.

“We just go back to normal operations with burning permits. People still need to be aware of what they’re burning and how they’re burning,” Blair said. “They still call the same number to get permits. It’s just like it’s always been. Winds have to be under 10 miles per hours, and if it’s over that we will not issue them on a daily basis.”

Fire department officials in Baxter and Gainesboro also lifted citywide burn bans on Tuesday.

Blair said putting the ban in place made a difference as the area experienced extremely dry weather and several weeks without rain.

“Our number one priority is the safety of the citizens,” Blair said. “I’m sure it could cause some hardship on people trying to get rid of wood or debris, but I appreciate everybody’s patience as we went through this.”

Residents living outside city limits can obtain burn permits from burnsafetn.org