HAMBLEN TWP. — An illegal tire burn and strong winds resulted in about an acre being burned Feb. 28.

At about 7:30 p.m. firefighters from three departments were called to a home in the 8400 block of Bittersweet Lake Lane.

Hamblen Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Arlan Pierce said firefighters saw the remains of tires in the fire. That’s illegal; legal burns contain natural materials only.

“It got out of hand when the wind started whipping real bad and it just took it,” Pierce said.

The fire escaped to a ravine behind the home and was burning on both sides of it, Pierce said. The wind direction helped it stay away from the home.

Pierce and firefighters from Hamblen, Fruitdale and Cordry Sweetwater volunteer departments worked for about an hour to contain the blaze to one side of the gravel road.

They were concerned that the high winds would carry flames across the gravel road into pine trees and other structures.

No one was injured and no structures were harmed.

Pierce urged residents to avoid burning in windy weather.

“When the wind is blowing, I don’t know why it doesn’t register that you don’t burn,” Pierce said.

“They always say, ‘I didn’t think it would go anywhere.’”