By Scott Pearson

Staff Writer

The burn ban imposed on Marshall County by the Commissioner of Agriculture has been lifted as of Wednesday.

Office of Emergency Management Director Steve Calahan said the two to three inches of rain had been reported in parts of the county on Monday and Tuesday, clearing the way for the ban to be removed.

"It's not a drought buster, but it is enough for the ban," said Calahan.

What it means for county residents is that charcoal fires or fire pits are again permitted, but any fires that would require a permit, debris or trash burning, still require the state burn permit they normally would this time of year.

Currently the State Forestry Department is not issuing such permits, due to the generally dry weather across the state and the fire issues in East Tennessee.

Lewisburg Fire Chief Larry Williams said that the burn ban for the city of Lewisburg is still in place.

Further rain is expected over the weekend and the department wanted to wait to see if it did arrive before making a decision on lifting the city ban.