Burn Permits Are Important
Did you know the No. 1 cause of wildfires in Georgia is debris burning?
When people stop and take time to get burn permits, the number of wildfires is drastically reduced. More than half of the 8,433 wildfires in Georgia last year were caused by debris burning, affecting a total of 37,000 acres. Getting a permit isn’t a request, it’s the law.
There have been a rash of uncontrolled and/or unpermitted brush fires in the county here as of late. Since March 1st, 15 brush fires have been reported with several requiring Georgia Forestry to come and bulldoze break lines.
When the humidity is low as it has been this past week, the fire danger is very high. With a relative humidity of 23 today, the grounds are ripe for wind-blown embers to light off nearby areas.
Smokers, know that your cigarette butts you toss out the window are a legitimate hazard for starting brush fires that grow to more than an acre in a very short amount of time.
The Georgia Forestry Commission offers several ways to secure a burn permit, including an online form and a new toll-free permitting number. You can also visit a commission office to receive a permit.
Not getting a permit can result in hefty fines: Illegal burning without a permit is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and a year imprisonment. In Georgia, it is illegal to burn household garbage.
Maximum fines can be may be up to $25,000 per day per violation.
To be safe with your burn area there are basic measures everyone should take to minimize the risk of it getting uncontrolled:
Get a burn permit before you start!
Tools needed:
•Rake, Water hose, Shovel
•Clear 25-foot or more area around debris pile
•Never use flammable liquids to start fire
•Never leave fire unattended
•Ensure fire is completely extinguished and pile is cool to the touch
From May through September, state air quality regulations prohibit outdoor burning in 54 counties, mostly in north Georgia. When burning is allowed, your smoke is your responsibility. To minimize smoke:
•Burn smaller piles – they produce less smoke
•Burn dry piles – wet piles produce more smoke
•Burn on clear days – smoke stagnates on cloudy, overcast days
•Burn with a little wind – this helps disperse smoke
•Avoid dirt in your piles – dirt holds moisture which produces smoke
•Avoid early-morning and night burning – smoke lingers during these times
•Be a good neighbor – inform your neighbors of burn plans and if smoke becomes a problem, put your fire out
Be diligent, be prepared, be safe Jasper.
