Fire Departments across the Upper Cumberland worried about a potential increase in fires due to recent dry weather.
Piney Fire Department Public Information Officer Tiwanna Bricker said the low humidity days we enjoy combined with breezes can spark fires quickly.
“It’s much easier than you know when it’s wet,” Bricker said. “But the biggest concern is when somebody does start a fire, is it will spread easier. And then we have had incidents where people were like bushhogging, hit a rock, a little spark, and it catches fire.”
Bricker said burn piles, cigarette butts, electric lines, and lightning are typical ways that fires can be started during a period of dry weather. Bricker said people need to be more mindful of how quickly a fire can get out of hand before throwing out cigarette butts or burning a brush pile.
“If you just get in a habit of practice, of keeping your cigarette butts in a container or water or something, that will definitely keep it safer,” Bricker said. “And then if someone wants to burn outdoors, they should keep a hose and a rake nearby so they can put it out before it spreads beyond their capabilities.”
Bricker said if anyone wants to burn, they should check the state division of forestry’s website beforehand.
“They are very good about keeping on top of weather conditions that make it too dangerous to burn or to be extra cautious, and they can advise on that,” Bricker said. “We advise people to consult that website and then also just to look at their conditions locally.”
Briker said people should make sure that they are burning in an open field. Bricker also said people should call the local fire department to let them know that they are burning beforehand, so the department can have an idea ahead of time.
