As the 300 acre, Three Mile Fire, continues to smolder in Grandview, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Division of Forestry, at the request of the Mayor of Rhea County, has issued a burn ban for all of Rhea County, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. The ban applies to all open-air burning including leaf and woody debris, construction burning, and campfires. Outdoor grills and smokers that burn charcoal, wood and pellets are also prohibited.
A violation of the Commissioner of Agriculture’s imposed burn ban is considered reckless burning and is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor which carries a fine of $2,500 and/or up to 11 months 29 days in jail.
Burn bans have also been issued for DeKalb, Franklin, Grundy, Macon, Morgan, Polk, Rutherford, Sequatchie, Sevier, and Williamson.
Cumberland County is not currently under a burn ban. However, State Forestry is not issuing burn permits due to the dry conditions. Cumberland County Fire & Rescue is asking everyone to please not burn debris at this time.