The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau is issuing free storm debris burn permits for residents in unincorporated Hamilton County who were directly affected by Friday's EF3 tornado.
Residents must obtain a storm debris permit before burning, and all storm permits will require an inspection, officials said. Those who already have a burn permit may use that permit to burn storm debris.
Amber Boles, spokeswoman for the bureau, said there are some regulations.
Residents may burn only brush or clean, raw, untreated and unmanufactured wood in piles no larger than 12 feet by 12 feet, and no taller than 12 feet high.
No other materials may be burned.
Make the pile and have it ready for inspection before seeking a permit, Boles said.
Applications are available online www.pollutionsolution.org or at the Storm Command Center at the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department, located at Mahan Gap and Snow Hill roads or at the Air Pollution Control Bureau office at 6125 Preservation Drive, Suite 140, in Chattanooga.
Due to the negative health effects of burning green wood, bureau experts advise residents to let the piled wood dry out before burning it.
"The bureau is committed to help with the recovery efforts of those affected by the tornado, but we also want to preserve the health of those in the area," Boles said in a prepared release.