Wildfires have become more prevalent across the region over the past several days, according to the Greeneville/Greene County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
EMA Director Heather Sipe says dry, mostly clear, sometimes gusty conditions, and continued unseasonable temperatures linger for our region. These factors warrant a HIGH Fire Danger Rating from the East Tennessee District, TN Division of Forestry for this Tuesday. Brush fires are being reported within the county by local volunteer fire departments.
Forecasted rainfall is not expected until late Thursday and into Friday of this week. However, upwards of only a ½ inch of rain is expected. Sipe says this will not remedy the current situation. Currently, Greene County is still at a D1 drought status- Moderately Dry. Today’s Relative Humidity is forecasted at 42% for Greene County with wind gusts 16+ mph.
The City of Greeneville is NOT issuing burn permits. The local division of Forestry continues to issue burn permits for the County, as of this morning.