SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — The burn ban for Sevier County and Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Pittman Center and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was lifted Wednesday.
As of 8 a.m. on Wednesday, recreational fires such as cooking, warming and campfires can resume. The Smokies said campers can only have campfires in designated areas in both frontcountry and backcountry campsites.
The national park recommends keeping campfires small to decrease the chance embers will spread.
Debris burning continues to be prohibited and no burn permits will be issued in the county until more rain in the area.
The area remains at an elevated fire danger level, however, due to low temperatures and frigid conditions, officials wanted to lift the ban to allow recreational fires for cooking and warming.
For those who are in city limits, refer to your local municipal fire department for burn permits.
As the dry conditions persist throughout the region, residents and visitors are urged to remain careful when burning. To ensure safe burning, follow these tips:
- Do not burn on windy days
- Stay informed of changing weather conditions
- Establish wide control lines down to bare mineral soil at least five feet wide around burn piles
- Keep fire containment equipment on hand during the fire (rake, shovel, water)
- Stay with the fire until it is completely out
