News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville Fire Department will not issue burn permits for the city until weather conditions improve.
Chief Benton Young said that the department considers weather, hot temperatures, and wind speeds when it comes to issuing burn permits.
“We’ve not had any rain for at least a couple of weeks and the combination of the high temps and low humidity really makes grasses and other brush dry and more susceptible to fire,” Young said. “So we just ask everyone to be very cautious. Even throwing a cigarette butt out as dry as it is now can cause a grass fire.”
Young said that the decision to start issuing permits again typically hinges on how much rainfall occurs. Young said that the forecasted rain for this weekend should hopefully improve conditions before the 4th of July holiday.
Young said that burn permits are only issued in the city limits for natural vegetation such as branches and leaves.
