Annual air quality restrictions will start soon for residents of northern Georgia. From May 1 to September 30, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will enforce a burning restriction in 54 counties to reduce smoke that can harm ozone levels in urban areas.

The restricted counties include 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.

Counties not under this restriction can conduct prescribed burns, provided weather conditions allow, while still following fire safety rules and local regulations. Required precautions include maintaining space between fires and structures, burning only from sunrise to sunset, ensuring attendance at each fire, and being aware of weather conditions. The Georgia Forestry Commission emphasizes the need for everyone to help reduce wildfire risks during summer. For more information on burn restrictions and permits, visit GaTrees.org.