Beginning this Saturday, May 1, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) open burning ban will be in effect for 54 Georgia counties.  The open burning ban has been in place during the summer ozone season since 2005.

The ban prohibits citizens and businesses from burning yards and land-clearing debris during the summer ozone season, which runs from May 1 through September 30.

This is in addition to the rule that prohibits the burning of household garbage. Burning household garbage is never allowed anywhere in Georgia.

Permits for hand-piled, natural vegetation collected on-site can be secured online for today at https://gatrees.org/fire-prevention-suppression/burn-permits/ or by calling 1-877-OK2-BURN.

Permits for any other types of burning should be obtained by contacting the county GFC office.