Use Caution When Burning Leaves, Other Debris

Now that the has ended, fire officials are reminding Forsyth County residents to follow regulations and exercise caution when burning leaves, branches or other debris.

The countywide, state-mandated outdoor burn ban ended on Sept. 30. However, certain days may still be designated no burn days due to weather and atmospheric conditions. Check the Forsyth County Web site for outdoor burning notifications.

Editor's Note: Outdoor burning is not permitted today, Oct. 4 due to weather conditions.

The burning of leaf piles, the reduction of other “natural vegetation” such as trees and parts thereof, pine straw, and sticks on the premises on which they fall (not cut down) is allowed.

But according to Capt. Jason Shivers with the Forsyth County Fire Department, a permit is required. Residents can obtain a free permit by calling the Georgia Forestry at 1-877-652-2876.

Before conducting any burn, use caution and keep these guidelines in mind:

• No burn pile shall be larger than 6’ X 2’
• There shall be no more than two burn piles burning at any time
• There shall be 10 feet between burn piles
• Burn piles shall be 50 feet from of any structure and 25 feet from a property line.
• All authorized burning shall occur between the hours of 10 a.m. and one hour before sunset.
• The burning of “household” garbage, trash, and construction debris is not allowed. The burning off of lawns is not allowed.
• All burns must be attended by a competent person 16 years or older having the ability to extinguish the fire.

The following burns are allowed without notification:

• Recreation/cooking fires               
• Campfires in approved areas
• Open flame equipment, tar kettles, etc...
• Miscellaneous warming fires at construction sites. (Warming fires shall be contained within a metal barrel of 55-gallon capacity or less. Untreated wood or lumber shall be the only material or substance permitted to be burned. The container for the warming fire shall be 25 feet from any structure. NO on ground warming fires are permitted. Warming fires are only permitted when the temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less.)  

Forsyth County burn permits, site inspections, and fees are required for the open burning of vegetative material for the purpose of land clearing and/or the construction of right of ways. These also require the use of an Air Curtain Destructor (ACD).

Contact the Forsyth County Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office to receive more details regarding outdoor burning regulations at 678-455-8072. For more information on outdoor burning relations visit the Forsyth County Web site.