2025 Tennessee wildfires

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2025 Tennessee wildfires
March 5 wildfire in TN.webp
The Chattanooga Fire Department battling the Rafter Road fire on March 5, 2025.

The 2025 Tennessee wildfires are a series of active wildfires currently ongoing in Tennessee.

Contents

Background

Tennessee Drought Monitor at its peak on January 28, 2025 2025 Tennessee Drought Monitor.png
Tennessee Drought Monitor at its peak on January 28, 2025

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]

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.

NameCountyAcresStart dateContainment date [a] NotesRef.
Sevier - East Parkway Sevier 1,087March 4March 14 [6]
Big Glow Greene 2,875March 20March 24 [7]
2025 Tennessee wildfires
Perimeters of wildfires in Tennessee during 2025 (Red: >1000 acres) (map data)

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. [5]

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. ↑ "What containment and other wildfire related terms mean". Los Angeles: KCAL-TV. September 12, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  6. ↑ Newspapers, Treasure Coast. "Sevier - East Parkway - Wildfire and Smoke Map". Treasure Coast Newspapers. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  7. ↑ Oklahoman, The. "Big Glow Fire - Wildfire and Smoke Map". The Oklahoman. Retrieved March 20, 2025.


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