Open Burning Guidelines

Please note this important change to OPEN BURNING (already in effect) …

Recent changes to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Environmental Protection Division (EPD) regulations are now in effect for agricultural zoned properties . EPD Air Protection Branch Chief Karen Hays confirms that in September 2018 the DNR Board approved a rule change to “Georgia Rules for Air Quality Control” in response to House Bill 885 signed into law by Governor Deal.

Here is what this means for us …

If a citizen’s property is zoned “agricultural” (AG-1) they are now permitted to agriculturally burn during the summer “Burn Ban” as long as the Georgia Forestry Commissions’ daily fire danger rating is not a 3 or above. The Chattahoochee Hills Fire Rescue Department emphasizes the owner must contact Georgia Forestry Commission AND Station 51 for approvals/notifications.
If a citizen’s property is AG-1 and includes more than 5 acres they are permitted to burn agriculturally without restriction to time of day.
Smoke nuisance calls are not grounds for extinguishment. While people are still responsible for their smoke, this is a civil complaint and the Police Department should be informed.
The Fire Department, under the auspices of the local Fire Chief/Marshal and the Georgia Minimum Fire Safety Standards (code), has the authority to prohibit and extinguish unsafe fires. These include burning too near a structure, leaving a fire unattended, not having a means for extinguishment readily available, and using flammable liquids to start the fire.

Public contact points:

For agriculture-related burn permits call Georgia Forestry Commission: 1-877-OK2-BURN
A permit may be requested online at the following address: http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/online-permits/index.cfm
Contact Chattahoochee Hills Fire Rescue Department, Station 51, to verify burn conditions, permit, location: 770-463-8177