Francine Remnants Prompt End of Burn Ban in City of Dickson

Following the rain that moved through the region as the remnants of Hurricane Francine, the City of Dickson Fire Department has lifted the ban on outdoor burning effective Monday, Sept. 16.

Hurricane Francine made landfall near Morgan City, La., last Wednesday as a Category 2 storm with winds around 100 miles per hour and heavy rainfall. The storm tracked north through western Middle Tennessee and brought approximately .65 of an inch of rain to the area Friday through Sunday.

“The rain and cooler temperatures were enough to end the burn ban that was issued Aug. 22,” said Dickson Fire Department Fire Marshall Robby Street. “Permits still are required for any outdoor burning inside the city limits.”

The 25-day ban is the second this year issued by the Dickson Fire Department. The first ban was July 12-22 due to hot, dry conditions.

The Dickson Municipal Code requires residents of the city to obtain a permit from the fire department prior to any outdoor burning. The permits are free but allow the department to monitor conditions and control when and where burning takes place. Permit information can be obtained by calling the department at 615-446-6331.

Residents in municipalities with full-time fire departments should check with the department or town hall for outdoor burning requirements. Residents outside municipalities or in towns without fire departments should check with the Tennessee Division of Forestry at burnsafetn.org or call 1-888-891-TDEC (8332). The Division of Forestry requires permits for outdoor burning throughout Tennessee Oct. 15-May 15.

The National Weather Service forecast as of Monday calls for cooler temperatures and no significant chance of rainfall for the next seven days.