2025 Tennessee wildfires

2025 Tennessee wildfires

The 2025 Tennessee wildfires were a series of wildfiress that burned in the U.S. state of Tennessee.

Background

Historically, Tennessee has two distinct periods of heightened wildfire activity, referred to as "fire seasons." The spring fire season typically occurs from February 15 to May 15, when low humidity, dry vegetation, and gusty winds can lead to rapid fire spread. This season generally ends when leaf-out and increased humidity reduce flammability.[1]

The fall fire season generally runs from October 15 to December 15, when fallen leaves, dry grasses, and reduced rainfall create favorable conditions for ignition. Although spring sees a higher number of wildfires, many of the state's largest and most destructive fires, such as those during the 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires, have occurred in the fall.[2][3]

Wildfires can occur at any time of year in Tennessee, particularly during periods of drought or when human-caused ignition sources, such as debris burning, are present. A state burn permit is required for outdoor debris fires between October 15 and May 15 in areas where local restrictions do not apply.[4]

Summary

Tennessee’s 2025 wildfire season remains active, with most activity concentrated during the spring and fall “burn windows.”[5]

Historically, more than 90% of wildfires in Tennessee are caused by humans (e.g. debris burning, equipment sparks, escaped burns).[6] To curb risk, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) requires free burn permits for leaf or debris burning during the October 15–May 15 period.[7]

Smoke from active fires has been tracked via the Tennessee Wildfire Public Viewer, with haze and reduced visibility in some counties when wind is light or inversions form.[8]

List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties.

Name County Acres Start date Containment date[a] Notes Ref.
Sevier - East Parkway Sevier 1,087 March 4 March 14 [10]
Big Glow Greene 2,875 March 20 March 24 [11]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Containment means that fire crews have established and secured control lines around the fire's perimeter. These lines are artificial barriers, like trenches or cleared vegetation, designed to stop the fire's spread, or natural barriers like rivers. Containment reflects progress in managing the fire but does not necessarily mean the fire is starved of fuel, under control, or put out.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Wildfire Prevention and Protection". Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  2. ^ "Wildfire Prevention and Protection". Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  3. ^ "Fall Fire Season". Tennessee Division of Forestry. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  4. ^ "Burn Permits". Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  5. ^ "Wildfire Prevention and Protection". Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  6. ^ "More than 90% of Tennessee's wildfires are caused by humans, state says". Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  7. ^ "Fire Prevention Efforts Critical in Tennessee's Coming Wildfire Season". Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  8. ^ "View Current Wildfires". Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  9. ^ "What containment and other wildfire related terms mean". Los Angeles: KCAL-TV. September 12, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  10. ^ Newspapers, Treasure Coast. "Sevier - East Parkway - Wildfire and Smoke Map". Treasure Coast Newspapers. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  11. ^ Oklahoman, The. "Big Glow Fire - Wildfire and Smoke Map". The Oklahoman. Retrieved March 20, 2025.


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