04/21/2026
Did it rain near you recently? If so, you may be wondering why fire risk may still be a concern.
While recent rainfall has provided some short-term relief, most areas received less than half an inch over the past 48 hours. That is enough to temporarily reduce the risk of ignition in surface grasses and light debris, but it is not enough to recharge the deeper layers of the forest floor. Those deeper fuels, which have been drying out for weeks, have seen little to no recovery from this rain event.
Surface fuels may feel temporarily safer, but the heavy, deep fuels underneath remain critically dry and capable of sustaining intense fire behavior. With no significant rainfall forecast in the near term, humidity levels across Tennessee are expected to drop back into the low 20s this week, quickly erasing any gains made by recent rain.
Until a more substantial and widespread rainfall event occurs, elevated fire risk remains. Caution is advised any time ignition is considered. Stay informed and follow all local burn regulations before burning.
Visit our website for the latest fire conditions across Tennessee!
www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/resources/predictive-services/outlooks.html
NOTE: This photo is from a fire this spring that is now out.
