Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry Burn Permit

Starting on October 15th, burning leaves or natural vegetation, including debris from Hurricane Helene, requires a free burn permit from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF). Only when it is safe to burn are permits granted. TDF temporarily suspends the granting of burn permits when dangerous conditions, such as strong winds or severe drought, make the situation unsafe. The process then continues when the situation improves. Burn permits are available for free via the MyTN mobile app or at www.BurnSafeTN.org. Permits are issued online from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. On the day you want to start a prescribed fire or burn any kind of brush, leaf, or debris pile, you need to always get permission. By the time the permission expires, every fire must be extinguished, and no fire should ever be left unattended. The Class C misdemeanor of burning without a permit is punishable by law.