The mild, snow-free winter could lead to a fiery spring, according to state fire officials.
“Even though we’ve had a lot of rainfall … because of the warm sunny temperatures, it doesn’t take long for the surface fuels to dry,” said Steve Bingham, forestry technician for Sullivan County, Tenn. “It doesn’t take long for these grasses to dry out.”
Typically, it’s too early in the season for forest fires – but at least two blazed through East Tennessee last week – one, a 15-acre fire in Hawkins County.
“Usually, [this time of year] it’s cold and doesn’t dry out very quick,” he said. “We haven’t had any snowfalls this year. The weight of the snow packs leaf layers tighter – the oxygen and the fire can’t get up under them. The snow actually helps because it compacts.”
Fire season officially starts next week, and lasts through the first week of May.
“We are early this year,” Bingham said. “Usually, you can mark your calendar – the third week of February.”
Between Feb. 15 and April 30, Virginians are permitted to burn between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight only, said John Campbell, director of public information for the Virginia Department of Forestry.
“Basically every year, between February and April is the worst time for a forest fire or a wildfire,” he said, adding that he, too, thinks this year could be worse. “Because conditions are the way they are, there’s a potential to have more fires and bigger fires this year.”
Last year, Campbell said, there were 85 fires across 1,400 acres in the Abingdon District of the department.
“This year, we’ve had a few fires already, but nothing too big at this point,” he said.
Bingham said about 45 percent of the fires in East Tennessee are started by people who don’t mean to start them – they just escape from their brush or grass fire and start forest fires. Another 45 percent are started by arsonists, and 10 percent are started by electric fences, trains or fireworks.
In Virginia, most forest fires were started unintentionally by people burning trash in their yard, Campbell said, closely followed by arsonists.
Tennesseans aren’t allowed to burn trash, Bingham said. And they aren’t allowed to burn without a permit.
“Anybody in Sullivan County has to call and tell me what you’re gonna burn, what day, and your address,” Bingham said. “We never write permits for more than three days in advance.”
A permit is good for one day, Bingham said, and will come in the form of a number that the permit-holder can show to any official who requests to see it.
“Part of the reason, is if it’s dry and windy, I might not let you burn,” Bingham said. “We keep up with the weather real close. By 8 a.m. [each day] we make a decision. Late in the afternoon is the best time for anybody to burn, but we let them burn any time.”
In Virginia, no permit is required, but the 4 p.m. law must be followed. Violation of the rule, within 300 feet of a woodland area, could result in a misdemeanor charge, Campbell said.
Burning without a permit in Tennessee could net a misdemeanor, Bingham said – punishable by a $50 fine and/or 30 days in jail.
arobinson@bristolnews.com
(276) 645-2531
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