Tennessee Governor Bill Lee proclaims October 16th-22nd as Tennessee Forest Products Week
October 20, 2022
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed October 16th – 22nd, 2022 as Tennessee Forest Products Week. He encourages residents to recognize and celebrate our forests and the renewable resources they provide as an important part of our state’s history, economy, culture, and well-being.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry (TDF) is celebrating with the Tennessee Forestry Association and their shared ForestryWorks program.
Logging in Tennessee
Tennessee Debris Burn Permits Required starting October 15th
October 9, 2020
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is observing National Fire Prevention Week October 4th-10th by reminding citizens to follow simple safety practices to prevent wildfires and obtain a debris burn permit for leaf and brush piles.
The official start of wildfire season in Tennessee is October 15th.
Burn permits required October 15th-May 15th.
Prentice Cooper, Franklin State Forests Campsites Closed to prevent spread of Coronavirus
March 29, 2020
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is closing the campsites at Prentice Cooper and Franklin State Forests until further notice. A surge in the number of campers is creating safety and health concerns for the public and forestry staff.
Campsites at Prentice Cooper and Franklin State Forests until further notice.
Tennessee has record low number of Wildfires in 2018
February 17, 2019
Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry
Nashville, TN – Tennessee is celebrating a record to be proud of. Thanks to favorable weather and citizens who burned debris safely, 2018 saw a record low number of wildfires.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is working to continue that trend throughout 2019 by reminding citizens that if they plan to burn outdoors, a burn permit is required.
Tennessee State Forester Urges Citizens to Practice Safe Debris Burning
October 15, 2018
Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is observing National Fire Prevention Week (October 7th-13th) by reminding citizens to follow simple safety practices to prevent wildfires. The official start of wildfire season in Tennessee is October 15th, 2018.
Burn permits required October 15th-May 15th.
State Fire Marshal Urges Caution with Outdoor Burning
April 7, 2016
Nashville, TN – As fire crews contain hundreds of acres of wildfire that are currently burning in Tennessee, the State Fire Marshal’s Office wants to remind the public to be aware of outdoor-burning safety precautions.
“Negligent outdoor burning can lead to death, injury, property loss and environmental damage,” said State Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “Care must be taken to ensure that burnings are conducted safely.”
9 out of 10 Wildfires are created by people.
Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office urges caution with Outdoor Burning
April 2, 2015
Nashville, TN – The seasonable spring weather has sent Tennesseans outside to spruce up their properties. Because these maintenance efforts often include burning of tree limbs, lumber and other debris, the State Fire Marshal’s Office reminds homeowners to be aware of outdoor-burning safety precautions.
“Negligent outdoor burning can lead to death, injury, property loss and environmental damage,” Tennessee Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak said. “We urge residents to take care and use all safety precautions.” [Read more]
Tennessee Department of Agriculture reminds Tennesseans that Burn Permits required through May 15th, 2014
March 15, 2014
Record low number of fires in 2013
Nashville, TN – With Spring drawing near, Tennesseans begin to take advantage of the mild weather to do some outdoor work around the home or farm. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry wants to remind citizens that if they are considering doing outdoor burning, a burn permit is required.
In 2013, the Division of Forestry recorded the lowest number of wildland fires since 1927. There were a total of 639 wildfires that burned 9,033 acres (lowest burned acreage was 7,110 in 2003). Increased efforts in fire prevention and suppression contributed to this record low, and landowners getting burn permits to conduct safe debris burning played a major role in that effort. [Read more]
Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office urges caution with outdoor burning
April 12, 2013
Nashville, TN – As the weather slowly warms, many Tennesseans are sprucing up their outdoor property. Because these maintenance efforts often include the burning of limbs, lumber and other debris, the State Fire Marshal’s Office wants the public to be aware of outdoor-burning safety precautions.
“Negligent outdoor burning can lead to death, injury, property loss and environmental damage,” says State Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “Care must be taken to ensure that burnings are conducted safely.” [Read more]
Tennessee Department of Agriculture reports Emerald Ash Borer found in Middle Tennessee for the First Time
September 20, 2012
TDA Foresters stress importance of Not Moving Firewood to help Slow Spread
Nashville, TN – Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that destroys ash trees, has recently been found in Smith and Jefferson counties. Smith is the first county in Middle Tennessee where EAB has been found. Both cases have been confirmed by USDA.
While Jefferson County is adjacent to previously quarantined areas where EAB has been confirmed, the find in Smith County was of particular concern because of the distance the insect was found from the already quarantined areas in East Tennessee. The location in Smith County where four EAB were caught is at Cordell Hull Lake in the Elmwood/Granville area.
Emerald Ash Borer.
