GATLINBURG BURN BAN

[Alicia1466]

March 4, 2025

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

The National Weather Service has issued a VERY HIGH Fire Danger warning for the City of Gatlinburg and surrounding areas. The Gatlinburg Fire Department is issuing an outdoor burn ban which includes any type of open burning including brush piles, leaves, and debris, burning in a barrel, outdoor wood burning fire pits, charcoal grills, bonfires, and campfires. Gas grills and gas fire pits are still permitted. This ban is in effect until the City of Gatlinburg area receives a significant amount of rainfall. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 865-436-5112. If you see anyone burning, please call 911.  We appreciate your cooperation in helping to prevent wildfires and protect our community.

[Frances3408]

@Alicia1466. Alicia, its great to see responsible hosts posting this very important issue. Here in OZ we have a Fire Danger Season from 1 October to 31 March (so half the year) during which open fires in our region are banned except with a permit. Total Fire Ban Days are on top of this and Summer is one long rolling Very High Fire Danger number of days. We are surrounded by National Park and countryside.

Despite this some local residents and tourists persist in open burns, lighting fire pits etc and the bushfire chaos is quickly forgotten until it happens again.

We are very fortunate that we have a Fire Brigade in our town as well as SES (state emergency services).

I'd be happy if the Fire Truck is mostly used to do the annual Santa Claus run but sadly it is in weekly use.

Take care.

[Lorna170]

@Alicia1466  Hopefully other Gatlinburg hosts will log in to the forum and see your post -- communication takes all forms!

I have a property in Buncombe County NC, and we are often under a burn ban that would affect  guest enjoyment of the fire pit or grill. To ensure that guests are aware of potential burn bans or other events that would affect amenities, I request a phone number and email address that they will have access to during their travels, so that relevant information can be communicated.

I monitor for weather and municipal warnings and immediately share that information with the guest through the platform messaging, phone or text.   I also have a credenza printed out Welcome Guide that gives guests the "how to" methods of verifying or checking for a burn ban or other local weather conditions.