The City of Lewisburg Public Works Department is transitioning to a new process for scheduling the pickup of brush, debris, and scrap metal as of January 1, 2027. The brush truck will no longer be running routes unless requested for pickup. Residents requesting a pickup should visit the City of Lewisburg website at www.lewisburgtn.gov. From the main page, select Public Works, then click BRUSH PICK UP to submit a pickup request. Residents who need assistance using the website may contact the Public Works Department at 931-359-6383. The City of Lewisburg appreciates the public’s cooperation as we transition to this new process.

10/7/26

NASHVILLE — Beginning Oct. 15, Tennesseans must obtain a free burn permit before burning leaves or natural debris or conducting prescribed burns. As wildfire season begins, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) encourages residents and visitors to observe National Fire Prevention Week by practicing fire prevention and exercising extra caution when burning outdoors. Tennessee averages about 1,000 wildfires each year, burning approximately 18,000 acres.

TDF is Tennessee’s lead wildfire agency and is responsible by law for administering the burn permit system. Burn permits help TDF communicate when and where conditions are safe for burning and are issued only when fire danger is at an acceptable level. When hazardous conditions — such as high winds, very low humidity or extremely dry vegetation and debris — increase wildfire risk, TDF temporarily pauses permit issuance until conditions improve.

Burn permits are free and can be obtained at Burn Safe TN or by using the MyTN mobile app. Online permits are issued seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time. Residents and visitors must obtain a permit on the day they plan to burn a leaf or debris pile of any size or conduct a prescribed burn. Burning without a permit is a prosecutable Class C misdemeanor. Fires must be completely extinguished before the permit expires and must never be left unattended.

Residents with limited internet access may call 1-877-350-BURN (2876) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Central time for a burn permit. Callers may experience lengthy wait times when call volume is high, so online applications are encouraged.

Individuals within city limits should check with their municipality for additional restrictions before burning.

Residents seeking to dispose of debris from Winter Storm Fern or Hurricane Helene should contact their local government about alternatives to burning and use those options whenever possible.

Information about burning debris from natural disasters, as well as a list of materials that are not allowed to be burned, can be found on the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s website. Call 1-888-891-TDEC to report illegal burning.
Tennessee’s wildfire season typically runs from mid-October to mid-May, with activity peaking in fall and spring when humidity and precipitation are low and dry leaves and debris are abundant. Despite high summer temperatures, fire occurrence is very low from June through September because humidity is high and vegetation is green and moist.
Visit Safe Debris Burning in Tennessee for tips to burn safely and to protect communities from wildfires.
To get updates on wildfire news and fire risk in Tennessee, follow @TNWildlandFire on social media.
TDF protects Tennessee’s forests by fighting wildfires, coordinating emergency response and providing contract services, prescribed fire guidance and wildland fire training. Additionally, TDF advances the responsible use of forest resources by assisting landowners, providing quality seedlings, monitoring insects and diseases, improving urban forests, managing state forests, protecting water quality, and collecting forest inventory data. TDF also promotes primary and secondary forest industries to stimulate the state’s economy. Visit the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry for more information.

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The City of Lewisburg Public Works Department is transitioning to a new process for scheduling the pickup of brush, debris, and scrap metal as of January 1, 2027. The brush truck will no longer be running routes unless requested for pickup. Residents requesting a pickup should visit the City of Lewisburg website at www.lewisburgtn.gov. From the main page, select Public Works, then click BRUSH PICK UP to submit a pickup request. Residents who need assistance using the website may contact the Public Works Department at 931-359-6831. The City of Lewisburg appreciates the public’s cooperation as we transition to this new process

10/05/2026

NASHVILLE — This summer, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) deployed 128 wildland fire personnel and 44 pieces of equipment to support wildfire suppression operations in 14 states.
“Deployments play a vital role in our wildland fire program, providing an opportunity for our firefighters to develop and hone skills that they bring back to wildfire suppression here at home,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “We are proud to support wildfire suppression nationwide and of the expertise our crews bring to wildland fire operations in Tennessee and beyond.”
Since 2020, TDF has deployed more than 1,000 wildland fire personnel and 168 pieces of equipment, including dozers and wildland fire engines, to support emergency operations ranging from wildland fire suppression to flood, hurricane and tropical storm response.
Despite Tennessee’s high summer temperatures, wildfires are rare from June through September because humidity is high and vegetation is green and moist. This allows TDF wildland fire personnel to deploy out of state without putting Tennessee communities and landscapes at risk. Tennessee’s wildfire season typically runs from mid-October to mid-May, with fire activity peaking in fall and spring when humidity and precipitation are low and dry leaves and debris cover the ground.
TDF personnel also deploy in-state to respond to emergencies beyond wildfire, including winter storms, tornadoes and hurricanes. For example, TDF deployed more than 80 personnel and 30 pieces of equipment to East Tennessee for storm response after Hurricane Helene in 2024, and more than 150 personnel to Middle Tennessee for storm cleanup after Winter Storm Fern earlier this year.
“While on deployment, our personnel work in a wide range of roles, dealing with diverse weather, fuel types and topography,” Director of Forest Protection Wade Waters said. “These experiences enhance their ability to stay calm under pressure and expand their qualifications and skill sets.”
Wildland fire deployments function within the incident management team (IMT) framework, with qualified teams rotating into wildfire incidents to direct, coordinate and carry out emergency response operations. Each IMT provides command, communications, logistics, planning, operations and finance personnel to manage the incident. After deployments end, the federal government reimburses TDF’s costs.
Out-of-state assignments also help TDF personnel broaden and deepen their capabilities. In wildland fire, nationwide training and mentoring allow personnel to develop expertise in new areas. This year, TDF deployed personnel in command, operations, planning, logistics, finance, dispatch, aviation and communications roles.
Behind the scenes, TDF employees, other Tennessee Department of Agriculture staff and Tennessee Department of General Services personnel coordinated the large-scale deployment of TDF personnel. This cross-functional, cross-agency team included TDF’s fire logistics coordinator and staff from finance and administration, human resources, and vehicle and asset management. Together, they handled the moving pieces required for a successful deployment season.
TDF protects and promotes the responsible use of forest resources in Tennessee. Focus areas include assisting landowners with a variety of services, providing quality tree seedlings, supporting forest health programs, collecting forest inventory data, assisting forest industries and fighting wildland fires.