Starting next Monday, May 1, 2023, Chattooga County and surrounding county residents will be under a burn ban imposed by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.  The ban includes these counties in Northwest Georgia: Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Dawson, Floyd, Forsyth, Gordon, Haralson, Lumpkin, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker.

In Atlanta, during the summer months, the ozone in the air we breathe can reach unhealthy levels. Ozone is formed when volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides react in the presence of sunlight. A major source of these pollutants is the burning of fuels and other combustible materials. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has identified open burning as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone. Therefore, open burning in metro Atlanta and the surrounding areas must be restricted during the summer months. Beginning May 1st and ending September 30th, EPD’s Open Burning Ban will be enforced in 54 Georgia counties.

The Open Burning Ban prohibits citizens and businesses from burning yard and land-clearing debris. This rule is in addition to the year-round state ban on the burning of household garbage.

What are the rules of the open burning ban?

Don’t burn anything from May 1 – September 30.

Some exceptions include:

• Agricultural burning exemption
• Forestry “prescribed burning” exemption*
• Campfires or barbeques
• Fire-fighting training exemption, provided appropriate permit is issued
• Operation of open flame equipment exemption
• Explosive disposal in accordance with U.S. Department of Labor Safety Regulations