Cooler evenings can make fall one of the best times of year to spend outside in Tennessee. For many homeowners, that means pulling chairs around a backyard fire pit, roasting marshmallows, or simply enjoying a small fire as temperatures begin to drop. But fall also brings conditions that deserve extra attention around open flames. Dry leaves accumulate across yards, vegetation begins changing with the season, and windy weather can carry sparks farther than expected. Tennessee’s annual burn-permit season also begins October 15, making fall a particularly good time to understand the difference between a recreational fire and burning leaves or other yard debris.
For residents of Lakeland and throughout Shelby County, a few precautions can help keep a relaxing evening around the fire from becoming an emergency.
Start With the Right Location
Before lighting anything, think carefully about where the fire pit is located. Fire should be kept away from buildings, wooden fences, overhanging branches, utility lines, and other materials that could ignite. The Tennessee Division of Forestry advises people conducting outdoor burns to choose locations away from trees, power lines, buildings and other structures.[1]
The area immediately surrounding a fire also matters. Dry grass, leaves, pine needles, twigs and other combustible material can allow flames or escaped embers to spread beyond the intended fire area. Clearing loose vegetation from around a fire pit provides an additional buffer.
Portable fire pits should be placed on a stable, noncombustible surface and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid placing a portable unit directly on combustible decking unless the manufacturer specifically identifies that setup as safe.
Homeowners should also consider what is above the fire, not just what is beside it. Tree branches that appear comfortably distant from an unlit fire pit can become vulnerable once flames and rising heat are involved.
Clear Away Fall Leaves
Leaves are one of the most obvious differences between using a fire pit in summer and using one later in fall. A few leaves scattered around the yard may seem harmless, but dry vegetation can ignite quickly when exposed to flames or hot embers. Before starting a fire, rake leaves and other loose combustible material away from the surrounding area. Continue checking throughout the evening because wind can blow additional leaves toward the fire after the area has been cleared.
There is another important distinction for Tennessee homeowners: a recreational fire pit should not automatically become a place to dispose of piles of leaves or branches. Tennessee’s open-burning rules regulate debris burning, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation also limits what materials can legally be burned. Household trash, plastics, tires, asphalt roofing materials, many construction materials, and several other products should not be burned outdoors.[2] If the goal is disposing of leaves and yard debris rather than enjoying a recreational fire, homeowners should check the rules that specifically apply to debris burning before lighting the pile.
Pay Attention to Wind
A cool breeze may feel perfect while sitting around a fire, but strong wind can quickly make outdoor burning dangerous. Wind can carry sparks and embers beyond the fire pit and into leaves, grass, landscaping, or neighboring property. It can also cause flames to behave unpredictably. The Tennessee Division of Forestry advises postponing outdoor burning when winds are high, relative humidity is low, or strong gusts are predicted. It also warns that people should stop burning if strong winds develop after a fire has already been started.[3]
Weather conditions can change during the course of an evening, so checking the forecast before lighting the fire is only the first step. Pay attention once the fire is burning. If winds increase or sparks begin traveling beyond the immediate area, extinguishing the fire is the safer choice.
Keep Water and Tools Nearby
Do not wait until something goes wrong to start looking for a garden hose. A water source should be available before the fire begins. Depending on the setup, that could mean a connected garden hose or another adequate supply of water. Basic tools can be useful as well. The Tennessee Division of Forestry recommends having water and tools such as rakes and shovels available when conducting outdoor burns so escaped embers or flames can be controlled.[4]
Preparation is particularly important during fall because surrounding vegetation may become increasingly dry. Even a relatively small fire deserves attention. Sparks can travel, burning wood can shift, and a gust of wind can change conditions within seconds.
Keep Children and Pets at a Safe Distance
A backyard fire can naturally become the center of a family gathering, but children need close supervision whenever an open flame is present. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency guidance says an adult should be present at all times when a bonfire, chiminea, fire pit, or outdoor fireplace is burning.[5] Establishing a clear boundary around the fire can help children understand where they should and should not stand. Running, roughhousing, and throwing objects should be kept well away from flames.
Pets deserve similar attention. Dogs may be curious about food, sticks, or people gathered around a fire, while an excited pet can knock into a person or get too close to a hot surface. Keeping pets supervised and away from the immediate fire area reduces that risk. Remember that a fire pit can remain hot long after visible flames disappear. Children and animals should continue to be kept away while the pit and remaining coals cool.
Burn the Right Materials
A fire pit is not a substitute for a garbage can. Tennessee environmental officials specifically prohibit open burning of numerous materials, including household trash, tires and rubber products, plastics, vinyl products, asphalt shingles, paints, aerosol cans, and many types of construction debris.[6]
For a recreational wood fire, use appropriate clean firewood rather than using the fire as an opportunity to dispose of unwanted household materials. Burning inappropriate materials can create unpleasant or potentially harmful smoke in addition to violating environmental regulations. It can also affect neighbors. Even an otherwise legal outdoor fire can become a problem when smoke travels toward nearby homes, roads, or gathering areas.
Know Tennessee’s Burn-Permit Season
Fall brings an important date for anyone planning outdoor burning in Tennessee.
From October 15 through May 15, the Tennessee Division of Forestry requires permits for debris pile fires and prescribed fires. The state’s permit guidance identifies leaf piles and woody debris such as branches among the fires requiring permits during the season. Recreational activities are treated differently under state guidance, but local requirements can be more restrictive.[7] That last point is especially important.
State requirements are not necessarily the only rules that apply. Counties and municipalities may establish their own restrictions or permitting requirements, and Tennessee advises residents to check local regulations before burning. Burn restrictions and burn bans are also different. When wildfire danger is elevated, the state may temporarily stop issuing permits for activities that require them. More extensive burn bans can prohibit all open-air burning, including campfires and certain outdoor cooking fires.[8] Conditions and restrictions can change, so homeowners should check current state and local information rather than assuming that because a fire was permitted last weekend, it is permitted today.
Never Leave the Fire Unattended
Once a fire is burning, someone should remain responsible for it. Do not leave an active fire to go inside for an extended period, make a trip to the store, or head to bed. Tennessee law prohibits leaving certain open fires unattended without completely extinguishing them when they are near forests, woodlands, or other combustible materials that could carry fire to those areas.[9]
Even when a particular recreational fire falls under different rules, remaining with it is basic fire safety. This is another reason to keep fires manageable. A small recreational fire is generally easier to supervise and extinguish than a large pile producing tall flames and large amounts of heat.
Make Sure the Fire Is Actually Out
The end of the evening is not the time to become careless. A fire that looks finished can still contain hot coals capable of reigniting. Embers may remain hot beneath ash even when no visible flames are present. Extinguish the fire thoroughly with water and carefully stir the remaining material so hidden hot spots are exposed.
The U.S. Forest Service teaches the “drown, stir and feel” method for campfires: thoroughly wet the fire, stir the remaining material, and verify that it is completely cool before leaving.[10] Do not assume a fire is safe simply because it has stopped producing flames. The goal is for the fire to be completely out and cold before everyone goes inside.
Make Fire Safety Part of the Fall Routine
A backyard fire pit can be a simple way to enjoy Tennessee’s cooler fall evenings. The key is treating even a small recreational fire with respect. Choose the location carefully. Clear away dry leaves. Watch the wind. Keep water nearby. Supervise children and pets, and make sure the fire is completely extinguished before ending the night.
Just as importantly, check current burning rules before lighting a fire, particularly once Tennessee’s annual burn-permit season begins on October 15 or during periods of unusually dry weather. For Lakeland homeowners, those steps do not have to make a fall fire complicated. They simply make fire safety part of the routine, right alongside bringing out the chairs, gathering the firewood, and deciding who gets the first marshmallow.
[1] Tennessee Division of Forestry, “Burn Natural Debris.” https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/landowner-assistance/i-want-to/burn-natural-debris.html
[2] Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, “Open Burning.” https://www.tn.gov/environment/air/open-burning.html
[3] Tennessee Wildland Fire, “Get a Burn Permit in Tennessee – Safe Burning Tips.” https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/prevention/safe-debris-burning/permits.html
[4] Tennessee Department of Agriculture, “Debris Burn Permits Required Through May 15.” https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/news/2025/4/22/debris-burn-permits-required-through-may-15.html
[5] Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, “Wildfire.” https://www.tn.gov/tema/prepare/tennessee-threats/wildfire.html
[6] Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, “Open Burning – What Not to Burn.” https://www.tn.gov/environment/air/open-burning.html
[7] Tennessee Wildland Fire, “Get a Burn Permit in Tennessee.” https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/prevention/safe-debris-burning/permits.html
[8] Tennessee Wildland Fire, “Burn Bans.” https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/prevention/safe-debris-burning/burn-bans.html
[9] Tennessee Wildland Fire, “Tennessee Wildfire Fire Laws.” https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/learn/tn-wildfire-fire-laws.html
[10] U.S. Forest Service, “Campfire Requirements and Fire Safety.” https://www.fs.usda.gov/media/249145
