Knoxville Fire and Rescue and the Knoxville Police Department were called to a report of a fire at the south edge of Knoxville at approximately 10:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Upon arrival, crews found that a farmer had used heavy equipment to assemble several large piles of cut brush and timber, and had set them on fire. The farmer was tending the fires, but hadn’t informed authorities of the burn, as is required by ordinance.

Knoxville Fire Chief Cal Wyman was asked what his message was with the fire, “If you are going to do it–a controlled burn in the county, make sure you call and let the dispatch center know you are doing a controlled burn.”

Residents can have a controlled burn in the county, but you need to watch the fire and have an extinguishing source and you must call the sheriff’s department and let dispatch know you are having a controlled burn. Failure to do so can result in a fine.