The record breaking heat and drought across Tennessee has closed schools, diminished the water supply, and killed 14 people. Now, fire officials say they will restrict burning near open areas.
Summer wildfires aren’t as common here as they are in the west because there’s typically more humidity in the air. But not this year and as a result, trees are in shock, dropping leaves early. Fire officials say that means more fuel for wildfires to spread more quickly.
Montgomery County Fire Chief Steve Jones:
“Pastures are dry…you know if they’re bush hoggin or something, they could hit a rock, which’ll make a spark. And, of course, there’s no moisture in the stuff that’s laying on the ground, and that will actually be an ignition factor. That’s just the effects of the drought.”
Just in the last five days, wildfires have burned 88 acres in Montgomery County, one even shut down power to downtown Clarksville.
State forestry officials say they will announce sometime next week that residents will have to apply for a permit to burn anything that’s near, not only a park, but also open woodland or grassland. Outdoor burning isn’t usually restricted until mid-October, but fire officials say the weather conditions are too dry to chance anything.
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