LISA HOBBS – News Editor
Firefighters battled a Nash Road brush fire for over an hour today before firefighters could get the blaze under control.
“There was a since of déjà vu, with the dry conditions and the wind,” said Centertown Fire Department Chief Phillip Prater. “As soon as I arrived and saw how fast it was spreading, I went ahead and called for assistance.”
Mutual aid was received from Morrison Fire Department and North Warren Fire Department. While firefighters doused the fire, Tennessee Division of Forestry arrived with a dozer and began digging a trench to prevent the fire from spreading.
Reports were wind gusts between 10 and 15 miles per hour, which hindered efforts.
“The wind made it different today, because we are already getting wind off that hurricane. I know most people don’t really realize it, but the wind is changing directors pretty quickly. I guess unstable atmosphere would be the better explanation for it. The wind shifting caused us problems today.”
Approximately 21 acres were destroyed, with Prater adding, “but it was all open cornfield that had already been harvested. So, there wasn’t really any damage. We just have to get it under control.”
Cause of this fire was carelessness.
“The property owner burning a brush pile and it got away from him. He went to get his tractor, because he thought he could get it under control. By the time he got back, it was walking too fast.”
Despite the drought and extremely dry conditions, the state did not ban outdoor burning. However, that will be rectified next week. Prater wants to remind homeowners that burn permits are required beginning Thursday, Oct. 15.
Tennessee Division of Forestry issues the burn permits through May 15, 2027. Permits can be obtained free-of-charge online at BurnSafeTN.org or by calling 877-350-2876 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. central time). Permits are paused during high winds, extreme dryness, low humidity, or other hazardous conditions. Fires must be completely extinguished before the permit expires and never left unattended. Burning without a permit is a Class C misdemeanor.
Prater expressed his appreciation to Morrison Fire Department, North Warren Fire Department, and Tennessee Division of Forestry for their assistance.