Burn Permits Restricted In Putnam County Until Further Notice

No burn permits will be issued in Putnam County until further notice.

The Upper Cumberland region under a burn restriction due to the ongoing dry conditions and hazardous fire weather. Assistant District Forester Joel Blackburn said the restriction for Putnam County likely be extended past the current expiration date of Monday.

“We’re in a drought that’s progressing until we get some substantial rainfall, so it just increases the risk of fire danger,” Blackburn said. “You know, our fire currents are liable to pick up. Just for public safety we restricted permits.”

The restriction is not a burn ban. Blackburn said a burn ban is long-term and issued by the Commissioner of Agriculture or the Governor. Burn restrictions are for a shorter duration and issued by local Department of Forestry officials. Blackburn said the forecasts calls for rain next week.

It is a state law to obtain a burn permit before doing any open air burning during certain seasons of the year.

“I don’t want to think about worst case, but you have a fire get out of control that would require our involvement as well as the local VFDs and you know just create a dangerous situation,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn said some counties like Putnam did get rain on Monday, but it was not substantial enough to change the dry conditions. Blackburn said low humidity also plays a role in hazardous fire conditions.

“We hope the humidity goes back up and the weather improves next week,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn said you can keep an eye on burn restrictions on the Burn Safe Tennessee website.