Ten fire agencies work together to tame 25-acre blaze in Seymour

SEYMOUR, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Seymour Volunteer Fire Department Chief Johnson Bigler blamed high winds for a brush fire that quickly grew up to about 25 acres near Hansard Drive in Seymour.

His team got the call around 10:45 a.m. Saturday. The homeowner said he was burning some brush when the fire picked up.

"It's all out now except for a couple hot spots, that we call are 'within the the black,' "

Johnson said. He added that rain Saturday night and through Sunday should put those out.

There was no loss of livestock. The fire got within 300 feet of a couple homes, but Bigler said they all were protected from damage.

Bigler activated the Wild Land Task Force, which brings in units from Knox, Sevier and other surrounding counties, as well as the state forestry division. About 10 agencies responded in all, and about 50 firefighters worked to contain the fire.

Bigler said that about 40 of those firefighters were volunteers. None were injured, but the chief said they are all a little tired.

Anyone planning to burn outdoors may need a permit. The rules vary by county; to find out what is needed or to see if a burn ban is in place, visit the state forestry's website.