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Stumble It!Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And, across North Georgia that could spell trouble if you violate the state-mandated burn ban. Fire officials are keeping a close eye on several counties, making sure people stay within the law.
This small fire could turn into a huge disaster. But, with the help of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), situations like this could be preventable. That’s why the agency enforces a burn ban during the summer months. The ban started on May 1st and according to the Hall County Fire Marshall, this year it affects 54 North Georgia counties.
“The state ban will be lifted October first. But, if we’re still under a heavy drought situation, as well as a watering ban, locally that could be longer as well,” explains Capt. Scott Cagle.
The EPD imposed the burn ban to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations. A Georgia Forestry Commission Ranger tells us it because the ozone in the air is unhealthy to breathe this time of the year.
“The burn ban has nothing to do with the drought, it’s all about the smog particulates,” Jamey Gettys tells Newschannel 32.
The state EPD has enforced this ban for almost a decade. Although residents cannot burn limbs, leaves, brush or grass without a permit, there are some fires which are still considered legal.
“Cooking fires and camp fires, if you are in a designated park,” continues Capt. Cagle.
And, if you get caught disobeying these rules, you’re bottom-line will take a hit.
“Usually start at $500, and go up from there. And, when you tack on court charges, it can be pretty substantial for someone,” adds Capt. Cagle.
But, not all of North Georgia counties are under the burn ban. Stephens County, for one, is not. Capt. Cagle says the EPD bases it on population.
The following counties are under the 2008 Georgia burn 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.
If you live in a county not under the burn ban, and you wish o request a burn permit, contact your local Georgia Forestry Commission Office or call 1-800-OK2- BURN.