Georgia’s Open Burning Ban in Effect May 1 – Sept 30

Info taken from the the Georgia Forestry Commission website

When is the burning ban in effect?
The burning ban is in effect from May 1 through September 30 each year.

What counties are under the burning ban?
The following counties are under the burning ban:

Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Coweta, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Gordon, Gwinnett, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Richmond, Rockdale, Spalding, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walker and Walton.

Who is responsible for the burning ban?
The open burning ban is under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Air Protection Branch.

Why is the burning ban needed?
The Georgia EPD imposes a ban on outdoor burning to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations.  During the summer months in Georgia, the ozone in the air we breathe can reach unhealthy levels.  The Georgia EPD has identified open burning as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone.  Consequently, open burning in metro Atlanta and larger counties must be restricted during the summer months.

How can the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) help me determine whether I can burn or not?
The Georgia Forestry Commission’s on-line burn permit system and 1-877-OK2-BURN phone system will inform by county whether or not you can burn or you can call your local GFC office.

Who can I contact for information? 
Georgia EPD Air Protection offices
Your local GFC office
Your local Fire Department

Other Resources
Open Burning Rules for Georgia – Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Georgia DNR
Clean Air Act – U.S. EPA
Office of Air and Radiation – U.S. EPA

See the original article here

Also see the GFC  Online Burn Permit System.

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