Live fire restrictions & Red Flag Warnings · National Weather Service
🔴 Red Flag Warning
Critical fire weather — extreme danger, high winds, low humidity. Burning is typically banned statewide and by county.
🟠 Fire Weather Watch
Dangerous conditions developing within 24–72 hrs. Monitor for upgrade to Red Flag Warning and imminent restrictions.
⚠️ County bans may differ
Tennessee county burn bans and USFS Stage 1–3 restrictions are separate — always confirm with your local fire authority.
Checking Tennessee fire-weather alerts…
The NWS map above shows fire-weather alerts — for the legally binding burn ban status, go directly to the official Tennessee source:
Tennessee Division of ForestryBurn permits & restrictionsOpen official source ↗Also check your county government website — a county burn ban can be in effect even when Tennessee has no statewide restriction.
🚫 Prohibited
✓ Usually Still Allowed
Always confirm with the issuing agency — specific orders vary.
County burn bans in Tennessee are issued separately from state-level restrictions — a county can be under a burn ban even when the rest of the state is not. County commissioners, the county fire marshal, or the county judge typically issue these orders, and they are not reflected in NWS alerts shown on the map above.
TDEC posts statewide and county-level burn ban updates on the Division of Forestry website.
Tennessee Burn Ban Status — TDEC Division of ForestryView county map ↗Federal land managers use a tiered system that escalates as fire danger increases. Stage restrictions apply only to the land they are issued for — your county may have a separate burn ban on private land.
Open burning prohibited. Campfires may still be allowed in designated fire rings at developed campgrounds. Portable gas and pressurized-liquid stoves are typically allowed in cleared areas.
All open fires prohibited — including campfires in developed campgrounds. Gas stoves may be allowed in cleared areas. Chainsaw use and motorized off-road vehicles restricted.
Maximum restriction before full closure. All fires may be prohibited. Motorized vehicle use off designated roads, shooting, and spark-producing tools are typically banned.
State or county-level complete ban on all open burning — campfires, burn barrels, brush and agricultural burning. Gas and propane grills for cooking are usually still allowed.
Area is fully closed — no public access or fire-related activity of any kind is permitted.
Typically equivalent to Stage 1. Open burning prohibited; campfires in developed campgrounds may still be allowed. Common on BLM land in NV, OR, and ID.
Agency-specific restriction with unique terms. Always read the specific order from the issuing land management office — scope varies significantly.
Oregon ODF Industrial Fire Precaution Level — applies to industrial operations (logging, equipment) on ODF-protected state and private forestland. IFPL I is the lowest level; IFPL IV is the most restrictive. Separate from USFS campfire restrictions.
Restriction scope and exact prohibitions vary by agency and order. Always confirm with the issuing land management office or visit the official source linked above.
Tennessee requires burning permits from TDEC Division of Forestry for most outdoor burning. The permit is free and available online or by calling your local forestry office.
Get Tennessee burning permit ↗Tennessee's highest fire danger is in spring (February–May) and fall (October–December) when deciduous forests produce dry leaf litter.
Statewide or regional burn bans and open-burning suspensions on state and private land.
County-wide burn bans — the level that most often affects homeowners and is easy to miss.
Stage 1–3 fire restrictions and closures on national forests, parks, and other federal land.
Municipal open-burning rules, fireworks bans, and local red-flag restrictions.
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The live map and status strip above show active Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches from the National Weather Service for Tennessee. For the legally binding answer, check the official Tennessee source: Tennessee Division of Forestry at https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/prevention/safe-debris-burning/permits.html. Also confirm with your county — a county burn ban can be in effect even when no statewide restriction exists.
During an active burn ban, Tennessee prohibits: All open burning including yard waste and brush; Campfires on public land during restrictions; Agricultural burning without TDEC permit. Typically still allowed: Gas grills on private residential property; Cooking fires in designated campground facilities. Always verify the specific order with Tennessee Division of Forestry — prohibited activities can vary by jurisdiction and restriction level.
Gas and propane grills used for cooking on private residential property are typically allowed during a Tennessee burn ban. Charcoal grills may be permitted in calm conditions but check the specific order. Wood-fired grills, outdoor fire pits, and campfires are usually prohibited. Always verify with Tennessee Division of Forestry before lighting anything.
Multiple authorities can issue burn bans in Tennessee independently: Tennessee Division of Forestry for statewide or regional orders; County Mayor or County Commission for county-wide bans that affect most homeowners; federal land managers (U.S. Forest Service, BLM, NPS) for Stage 1–3 restrictions on federal land; and cities or local fire districts for additional local rules. A county burn ban can be active even with no statewide restriction — always check both.
Burn bans in Tennessee have no fixed duration — they are issued when fire danger is high and lifted when conditions improve, which can happen overnight or persist for weeks during drought. Red Flag Warnings from the NWS typically last 24–48 hours. State and county burn bans are lifted separately. Check the issuing agency daily during dry, windy conditions.
Tennessee's highest fire danger is in spring (February–May) and fall (October–December) when deciduous forests produce dry leaf litter.
Tennessee requires burning permits from TDEC Division of Forestry for most outdoor burning. The permit is free and available online or by calling your local forestry office.
Violating a Tennessee burn ban can result in: Misdemeanor with fines for unpermitted burning; Suppression cost liability; Civil damages if fire escapes.
Sign up for free FireRisk.ai fire alerts below — we'll notify you when the NWS issues a Red Flag Warning for your area of Tennessee. For county burn ban alerts, register with your county emergency management system (Nixle, Everbridge, or your county's sign-up page). Monitor Tennessee Division of Forestry at https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/prevention/safe-debris-burning/permits.html for statewide orders.
FireRisk.ai aggregates live fire-weather alerts from the National Weather Service and links to official Tennessee agency sources. Burn ban status changes daily — always confirm with the official source and your county before any outdoor burning. This page is for awareness only and is not an official or legal notice. For fire emergencies call 911.
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