Tag Archives: wildfire

Wildfires can impact the Upper Cumberland at higher rates due to the rural nature of the area. Division of Forestry Communications Leader Tim Phelps said the entire region is more prone to wildland fires. Phelps encouraged people to prepare wildfires by keeping roofs clear of flammable debris such as leaves and branches, storing firewood away from their houses, and keeping ... Read More »

Tennessee’s risk for wildfire through the next month despite wildfires in several southern states right now are relatively low. Cumberland Assistant District Forrester Joel Blackburn said forest conditions do not yet warrant too much worry regarding unexpected forest fires. He said that the rain of the past month, as well as the plentiful shade provided by leaves, helped prevent dry ... Read More »

If you have plans to travel to Knoxville this afternoon, you may face traffic delays as portions of I-40 are closed due to a Roane County wildfire. The far right lane going westbound is closed near mile marker 343. The road closure is a precaution as the State Department of Forestry tries to contain the fire. According to a state ... Read More »

North Warren Fire Department Chief Raymond Roberts described the scene of the Warren County wildfire as “controlled chaos.” Roberts was incident command over the response that started early Monday morning and continued until Tuesday night. Roberts said he issued a state mutual aid request and crews from across the Upper Cumberland responded to the call. “On the ground it was ... Read More »

The wildfire in Warren County that has been burning since Monday night is now under control. County Executive Terry Bell said water drops by the National Guard and rain Tuesday afternoon has extinguished the majority of flames. “A lot of the problem with this fire was the wind,” Bell said. “We got from 40 to 50 miles per hour wind ... Read More »

National Guard helicopters arrived in Warren County Tuesday to help fight a wildfire that started Monday evening. The aerial support came after County Executive Terry Bell declared a state of emergency. The helicopters have coordinated at least two drops of water on the flames located behind Isha. The Warren County Sheriff’s Department reported that 35 percent of the fire is ... Read More »

One Overton County man is working his third wildfire response of the summer in the pacific northwest. Livingston Airport Committee Chairman Jason Duke also serves as a Geographic Information Systems Specialist for the Pacific Northwest Incident Agency. Duke said he works around the clock creating maps for both responders and the general public being affected. “Nothing makes you feel better ... Read More »

The Gouldstown Road wildfire in Fentress County is now 87 percent contained. Tennessee Department of Agriculture Forestry Division Public Information Officer Tim Phelps said the 1,000 acre fire burnt slow and crews were able to reinforce control lines. Phelps said fire crews are almost to the finish line. “It’s far enough away from town, there’s really no threat to Jamestown,” ... Read More »

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture and other Upper Cumberland fire crews are fighting a 1,000 acre wildfire in central Fentress County. Tim Phelps is the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division Public Information Officer. Phelps said the fire was 85 percent contained and in a remote area southwest of Jamestown. “Through the afternoon crews have been working to reinforce containment ... Read More »

Critical wildfire season is cranking up, and so is burn permit season in Tennessee beginning on Thursday. Assistant Cumberland District Forester Jim Dale said a burn permit will allow you to burn woody vegetation, like leaves and brush piles. Dale said this time of year gets dry and leaves start falling, which puts citizens in the position to be responsible ... Read More »