SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — The Sevier County Emergency Management Agency said it is halting burn permits Thursday due to higher fire danger across the area.
The EMA said the Tennessee Division of Forestry issued a High Fire Danger Warning for East Tennessee on Thursday.
"Please refrain from burning debris today. Low humidity and increased winds can cause fires to spread quickly, even under controlled conditions," it said.
Most of East Tennessee exited the drought we saw in autumn because we've had above-average precipitation since January, but the dry winter air and brisk winds over the past few days were able to elevate the fire danger across the area because we've had a few solid days of sunny weather. Small pop-up brush fires have been reported in the past couple of days, including one near Townsend, one in the LaFollette and another in Halls.