Tennessee Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Tennessee - May 12, 2026

Overview

Tennessee is currently navigating the later stages of its spring fire season. While recent severe weather systems brought some moisture to the region, they also caused extensive tree damage and downed limbs across the Mid-South, substantially increasing surface fuel loads. The 100-hour and 1000-hour fuels remain critically dry in several areas, keeping fire danger elevated on warm, dry, and breezy days.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, wildland fire activity has consisted primarily of smaller incidents managed by local fire departments and the Tennessee Division of Forestry. Firefighters are maintaining readiness and monitoring areas where recent severe storms deposited significant amounts of fine and medium woody debris, which could enhance fire spread potential as conditions dry.

Key Fires:

• Henry Fire (Sigma Renew 360): Located in Henry County, this intense industrial/wildland interface fire was officially declared extinguished on May 9 after a 24-hour response effort. The fire was fueled by a high fuel load of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) pellets and a structural collapse. The Tennessee National Guard assisted ground crews by conducting multiple aerial water drops on inaccessible hotspots using Bambi buckets. The State Division of Forestry and local fire departments worked continuously to manage the incident, and environmental remediation and water runoff containment are currently underway.
• Greene Mountain Fire: Managed by the Tennessee Division of Forestry, this fire is currently reported as 80% contained as of May 9. Crews continue to monitor the area for hotspots and holdover heat.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: The Tennessee Division of Forestry (TDF) and partner agencies continue to promote prescribed fire to manage forest health, reduce hazardous fuels, and mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Currently, there are no active statewide burn bans. However, residents are strictly reminded that a burn permit from the TDF is legally required through May 15 for any debris pile fires and prescribed fires. Permits are issued only when weather conditions make it safe to burn.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: The region is experiencing a brief stabilization following a high-impact severe weather outbreak on May 5 that brought tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds to the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley. Minimum relative humidity values are currently dipping into the mid-20s to mid-30s.
Forecasted Weather: A warming trend is expected late in the week, with no significant rainfall anticipated. As temperatures rise and humidity drops, the newly accumulated woody debris from recent storms will rapidly dry out, creating highly receptive burning conditions. Winds are expected to be generally light but may reach 10 to 15 mph by Wednesday afternoon, potentially increasing marginal fire danger.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning, as escaped debris burns remain a leading cause of wildfires in Tennessee. Homeowners should take time to evaluate their wildfire risk by clearing dead leaves, pine needles, and flammable debris within a minimum of 3 to 5 feet of their home's foundation and gutters to create defensible space.
Resource Allocation: Firefighters and local agencies are working under elevated risk conditions and are conducting ongoing environmental monitoring and cleanup following recent high-intensity incidents. Agencies are actively training for increased fire risk and advising caution for any prescribed fire planning due to the persistence of dry heavy fuels.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Tennessee Division of Forestry: www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests.html

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.