Firefighters across the region Tuesday welcomed heavy rains that helped slow or quench area wildfires that have dogged the tristate area in recent weeks.
“We’re thankful for it,” Joel Blackburn, assistant forester for the Tennessee Division of Forestry in East Tennessee, said in a phone call. “Our fire danger today is low — it’s been super helpful.”
Over the weekend, state and federal forestry officials warned of winds as high as 60 mph or more preceding Tuesday’s rain with the potential to spread wildfires. By Tuesday morning, the soaking had begun.
In counties without burn bans in place, Blackburn said burn permits could be issued again in the next few days. Anyone who needs to burn should contact their local fire officials to see if permitting has been restored.