Staying safe during fall fire season

Over the past couple of weeks, wildfires have popped up in the southern Appalachian Mountains, some close to Johnson County.A blaze burned over 160 acres in Banner Elk, N.C., before containment on Nov. 19. A wildfire in Lee County, Va., is ongoing and has burned 425 acres at the time of writing. A brushfire at Virginia's Bald Mountain burnt around 4,500 acres over the course of a month, before finally being contained on Nov. 17.Around nine years ago, the Gatlinburg wildfires began on Nov. 23, 2016. Those fires killed 14 people, injured nearly 200 others, burned over 17,000 acres and destroyed thousands of buildings.Tennessee's official fall fire season is from Oct. 15, when leaves typically begin to fall, to Dec. 15. Dry conditions and the dying leaves create conditions for small fires, accidental or not, to spread. The Southern Appalachian Mountains are susceptible to larger fires due to the inaccessibility of heavily wooded areas and steep slopes.With this in mind, it's a good time to review fire regulations and prevention tips.Burn permits are required in Tennessee from Oct. 15 to May 15. This means all county residents wanting to obtain a permit can call 877-350-2876 or visit tn.firesponse.com/burn-permit/public-restrictions before burning any debris.The Town of Mountain City has even tighter restrictions. Burn permits are required year-round and can be obtained by calling 423-957-1457 at least 24 hours in advance of starting a fire.According to a document provided by Mountain City Fire Chief Jamie Meade, avoid starting fires on dry days. It's also advised to never start fires on windy days.The document encourages checking the forecast and having a garden hose, fire extinguisher, or bucket of water nearby before you start. Keep eyes on the fire for its entire duration and immediately stop burning if the wind picks up.Gasoline and other flammable liquids should not be used to start a fire, according to the document."Do not burn: plastics, tires, metals, household trash, chemicals, or treated lumber," states the document.Once finished, "drown the fire with water" and "never leave smoldering material — embers can reignite hours later," according to the document. "Be mindful of smoke drifting toward neighbors, roadways, or homes."It is also important to prevent housefires during the holiday season.The document encourages using "UL-listed or certified lights" when decorating. Keep candles a good distance, at least one foot, away from anything combustible."Keep live Christmas trees well-watered; dry trees ignite quickly," states the document.Keep at least three feet of empty space around space heaters, and replace outdated space heaters and electric blankets, according to the document.The document lists these other electrical safety tips:Inspect cords for cracks or frays before use.Avoid overloading outlets—use power strips with surge protectors.Unplug appliances when not in use, especially holiday décor.Chimney flues can also be the cause of a home fire, as dried creosote builds up in the chimney and can be flammable if not cleaned out.