Outdoor burning laws still require Ga. Forestry or city permit to burn

Just because the January weather has been cold and rainy, Wilkes County residents shouldn't think that the rules for outdoor burning have changed, District Ranger Mark Munns says.

State law requires landowners to notify the Georgia Forestry Commission of intent to do outdoor burning. A permit number is issued during that notification for the burning of natural material only, such as leaves, straw, brush, and other vegetative material.

"There three easy ways to obtain a permit number," Munns said. "Call 1-877-OK 2-BURN. Or, go to www.gatrees.org and click 'Burn Permits.' Or third, call your local forestry unit at 706-678-2910 for Lincoln, Wilkes, and Taliaferro counties."

In the city of Washington, a City ordinance prohibits the open burning of leaves within the city limits unless otherwise permitted by the Washington Fire Department. Contact the Washington Fire Department prior to any outdoor burning within the city at 706-678-7113, Fire Chief Alan Poss said.

Any wildfire resulting from a nonpermitted burn or an unattended permitted burn will result in fire suppression fees from the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Munns said that a permit does not waive any liability the burner has from the result of the fire or its smoke; therefore, fire safety and smoke management issues must be considered by the burner prior to igniting fire. A permit is only valid for natural vegetative material such as leaves, straw and brush, it is not valid for lumber, house hold trash or other materials.

"It is unlawful to burn, bury or dump man made or processed materials (Anything that didn't grow naturally) in or outside of the city limits," he said. "The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Division monitors illegal dumping and burning, and can be subject to fines in the thousands of dollars a day during the clean up of such sites. Permits are required even if someone is burning in a burn barrel."

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