Chattanooga, Tenn. – June 7, 2024 – The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau (Bureau) will be issuing Emergency Burn Permits, free of charge, for residents in Hamilton County who were directly impacted by the severe storms in May. This allows anyone with an Emergency Burn Permit to burn storm debris on approved burning days through June 30, 2024. Residents must obtain an Emergency Burn Permit before burning, and all permits will require an inspection. Please allow up to a week for the inspection.
Residents with storm damage may only burn vegetation or brush that is less than twelve (12) inches in diameter, and/or clean, raw, untreated, non-manufactured wood from their property. Brush should be gathered into piles no larger than eight feet by eight feet by eight feet (8’ x 8’ x 8’). No other materials may be burned.
Prior to obtaining a permit, storm debris should be piled and ready to burn. Applications for an Emergency Burn Permit from the Bureau will be available beginning June 10, 2024. Residents can apply:
- online at apcb.us/storm-permit
- by calling (423) 643-5970
- or in person at CBL Center II, 2034 Hamilton Place Blvd., Suite 300, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
The Bureau is committed to helping with the recovery efforts of those affected by the May storms, but also wants to preserve the health of those in the area. Exposure to wood smoke has been linked to a variety of health problems including:
- increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing,
- decreased lung function,
- aggravated asthma, and
- development of chronic bronchitis.
Due to the negative health effects of burning green wood, the Bureau advises residents that all wood should be piled up and allowed to dry out before burning.
With the exception of the Emergency Burn Permit, all burning permits are expired. The seasonal burning ban is in effect through September 30, 2024.
For more information, visit the Bureau’s website at apcb.org or call (423) 643-5970.
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