• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds

East Tennessee arsons account for half of burned acres

Posted at 8:04 pm December 11, 2012
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

More than half the acres burned by arson in Tennessee since November were from 40 fires set in Anderson, Campbell, Hawkins and Scott counties, state officials said Tuesday.

The rash of wildfires before and after Thanksgiving are being investigated as arsons. In Anderson County, they included a 225-acre fire on Walden Ridge, a 375-acre fire at Graves Gap, and another 150-acre fire on Redoak Mountain. All three were in northern Anderson County.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture said 1,136 fires from all causes have burned 18,935 acres this year. Arson accounted for 393 of those fires, burning nearly 14,000 acres across Tennessee.

State officials said 7,361 acres have been burned by arson since November.

“The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Crime Unit and Division of Forestry are teaming up in Anderson, Campbell, Hawkins and Scott Counties to remind citizens that intentionally lighting the woods on fire is a crime,” officials said in a press release Tuesday.

“Arson accounts for the majority of acres burned from forest fires in Tennessee,” State Forester Jere Jeter said. “These fires can spread quickly this time of year and endanger human life and property. The Ag Crime Unit provides an important presence in our rural areas to help reduce arson activity.”

“Forest arson is a very serious crime and we will prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law,” said Max Thomas, ACU investigation supervisor.

Anyone with information about suspected arson activity should call the state Fire Marshal’s Arson Hotline toll-free at (800) 762-3017, the release said. Rewards up to $1,500 are available for tips leading to a conviction. Callers can remain anonymous.

During fire season, from Oct. 15 through May 15, citizens are required to obtain a burn permit before conducting any open, outdoor burning near woods or grasslands. Contact your local Forestry office or visit www.burnsafetn.org for permit and fire safety information.

Burning without a permit is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $50. Wildfires caused by arson are a class C felony punishable by three to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 fines.

For more information about other programs and services of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, visit www.tn.gov/agriculture.

Filed Under: Government, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Agricultural Crime Unit, Anderson County, arsons, Campbell County, Division of Forestry, East Tennessee, fires, Graves Gap, Hawkins County, Redoak Mountain, Scott County, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Walden Ridge

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • ORISE announces winners of 2025 Future of Science Awards
  • SL Tennessee Supports New Anderson County Chamber Headquarters
  • ORAU 2025 Pollard Scholarship recipients announced
  • Democratic Womens Club Hosts State Rep. Sam McKenzie
  • Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival Announces 2025 Storytellers
  • Laser-Engraved Bricks Will Line Walkway of New Chamber Headquarters
  • Democratic Womens Club to Discuss Climate Change, Energy and Policy
  • Estate Jewelry Show at Karens Jewelers Features Celebrity Jewelry
  • Keri Cagle named new ORAU senior vice president and ORISE director
  • ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal+ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal More than $1 million raised in past 10 years benefits United Way and Community Shares Oak Ridge, Tenn. ORAU exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 in donations as part of its internal annual giving campaign that benefits the United Way and Community Shares nonprofit organizations. ORAU has raised more than $1 million over the past 10 years through this campaign. A total of $126,839 was pledged during the 2024 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign. Employees donate via payroll deduction and could earmark their donation for United Way, Community Shares or both. ORAU has remained a strong pillar in the community for more than 75 years, and we encourage our employees to consider participating in our annual giving campaign each year to help our less fortunate neighbors in need, said ORAU President and CEO Andy Page. Each one of our employees has the power to positively impact the lives of those who need help in the communities where we do business across the country and demonstrate the ORAU way taking care of each other. ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, provides science, health and workforce solutions that address national priorities and serve the public interest. Through our specialized teams of experts and access to a consortium of more than 150 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions and help advance their missions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakRidgeAssociatedUniversities Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/orau Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orau ###

Search Oak Ridge Today

Copyright © 2025 Oak Ridge Today