KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Fire conditions in Tennessee continue to be critical, so burn permits will not be issued today or through the upcoming weekend for many counties in East Tennessee, according to the Forestry Division of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
These counties include: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union and Washington.
A large fire on Westborne Mountain in Campbell County grew Friday and Saturday morning to over 500 acres. Crews from both Campbell and Claiborne counties are trying to get the fire contained.
On Saturday morning, the Short Mountain fire in Hawkins County had a 10-acre breakover. Officials are working to improve the containment lines.
On Friday, three fires located in Campbell and Scott Counties along Brimstone Mountain burned a total of 835 acres. These fires were suspected arson.
Crews are also rechecking fires that started earlier in the week.
For more information about fires in the state, burn permits, FIREWISE information, or safety tips, you can go to www.burnsafetn.org. Also, if you have information about suspected arson activity, call the Fire Marshal's Arson Hotline toll-free at 1-800-762-3017.
