Recent Rain Not Enough To Normalize Dry Conditions

Several days of wet weather have helped the region’s dry conditions, but have not fully eliminated the concern for burning.

Baxter Fire Chief Matthew White said a drier-than-normal spring has left several parts of the Upper Cumberland to issue red flag warnings against burning. He said the conditions are constantly monitored, and that some areas have listed those red flag warnings.

“Don’t know how long that will last because all that will run off, and then we have to watch the weather conditions and the humidity and see how it will heat up and the temperature will evaporate it back off,” White said. “It’s kind of hard to predict, but we’re keeping an eye on it and checking every day to see where we’re at.”

White said conditions are affected by several factors. He said that includes elevation, the amount of wind and sun the area receives, and how much rain the area gets.

White said today’s conditions are likely a result of not getting as much rain that normally occurs during April. He said in his opinion, the area does not typically see the number of red flag warnings that it currently has.