EMA Director: Area Vulnerable To Burning Outside

White County saw at least six small fires within a four-hour window Tuesday afternoon, showing how dry conditions are across the Upper Cumberland

EMA Director Matt McBride said he does not believe any of the fires were set purposefully, but rather started as yard cleanup efforts got out of control.

“People don’t understand the dangers that we’re in,” McBride said. “Because if you don’t know your weather awareness and you don’t understand humidity and exactly how dry the fuels are on top of the ground, we have seen some rainfall which, although the ground is wet or damp, it doesn’t mean the fuels on top are.”

McBride said people should monitor local emergency management and fire departments on social media and watch the BurnSafeTN website to stay aware of the fire risk in their area. McBride said anyone in doubt about when or how to do open burning can reach out to their local agencies directly for guidance.

“We’ve seen an influx of calls today already for open burning, people trying to request permits,” McBride said. “And then once they’re educated and made aware of the situation, they’re very well understanding.”

McBride said a couple of recent fires only had to be extinguished for precautionary measures as open burning is currently prohibited. McBride said local and state officials are trying to be more proactive about keeping the public aware of any ongoing fire or weather risks as brush, grass, and wildfires become more common in Tennessee.

“We’re trying to tell them that hopefully we’ll see some rain this Saturday and to check back and see if the state has permits opened back up on Monday,” McBride said.