Fires Continue, Level 3 State of Emergency in Tennessee

Tennessee is under a state of emergency due to a drought and the threat of wildfires.
It’s a Level 3 state of emergency, meaning the situation is deteriorating rapidly.
Approximately 302 of Tennessee’s 480 water systems are experiencing some level of drought impact. At least three counties have requested water because wells have run completely dry.
Fifty-three wildfires are currently burning in East Tennessee, impacting almost 10,000 acres.
The state of emergency will allow resources for state and federal partners to be more readily available if needed to protect lives and property.
State Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton has issued a burn ban for Clairborne, Cumberland, Hamilton, Jefferson, Loudon, Marion, Monroe, Robertson and Sevier counties. State officials say the burn ban will remain in place until further notice.
Coffee County has had several brush and grass fires, but local fire departments have done a great job extinguishing the fires.
The level 3 describes an event or period when a serious emergency has occurred or the situation is deteriorating rapidly, and public warnings are being issued. The Tennessee Emergency Management Plan (TEMP) and the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) are activated at this level in accordance with and this action by law declares a state of emergency. Only key or specifically needed emergency service coordinators are called to duty.