Forest Protection
The Division rises to meet constant challenges to forest health. The difficulty of managing forest pests has been complicated by the ever-increasing number of native and non-native pests encroaching on Tennessee's forests. Coordination with other agencies and interest groups is a critical part of our response.
The Division Unit works to minimize damage caused by wildfire to forest resources and personal property while giving priority to firefighter and public safety. The Division of Forestry prevents and suppresses wildfires, promotes hazard reduction activities, and supports wildland fire training for volunteer fire departments and other wildland firefighters.
The Division helps improve the quality of surface and sub-surface water using forest cover as a filter and buffer for industrial, urban and agricultural point and non-point pollution resources. Water is a valuable product of the forest for which benefits are difficult to measure but which changes in quality and quantity are easily observed. Forests act as buffers and filters that can reduce the damage caused by practices from other land uses such as urban runoff and protect stream banks from erosion caused by flooding.
Hurricane Helene: Timber Damage Assessment for Tennessee
Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, struck the southern U.S. on September 26-27, 2024, causing widespread damage from Florida to Tennessee. It made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region with 140-mph winds, triggering historic storm surges, catastrophic flooding, and numerous tornadoes.
Southern Appalachians saw rivers permanently altered, and Tennessee experienced severe impacts, including 17 fatalities, hospital evacuations, and major infrastructure damage like the collapse of Interstate 40.
The Division of Forestry’s damage assessment reports that Hurricane Helene caused over $59.9 million in timber losses, primarily hardwood species, with most damage occurring on private lands. A map on the final page shows the impact across 12 eastern TN counties.