Residents across much of Northwest Georgia have less than three weeks remaining under Georgia’s annual summer outdoor burning ban.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s summer burn ban remains in effect through September 30, meaning normal seasonal burning can resume beginning Thursday, October 1 in counties covered by the restriction.

The annual ban runs from May 1 through September 30 and includes Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon, Walker and Catoosa counties, along with dozens of other Georgia counties. The restriction is intended to help reduce air pollution during the warmer months, when conditions are more favorable for the formation of ground-level ozone.

During the summer ban, residents are generally prohibited from burning yard debris and land-clearing debris, including leaves, limbs and other natural vegetation.

Once the ban ends October 1, residents may again conduct certain types of outdoor burning, but that does not mean all burning is automatically allowed.

The Georgia Forestry Commission says notification is no longer required for residents burning hand-piled natural vegetation on the property where the material originated. However, anyone conducting an outdoor burn must follow Georgia’s required safety precautions, including having an adult present, keeping adequate water and tools available, and ensuring the fire is completely extinguished before leaving it unattended.

Permits are still required for certain larger burns, including some machine-piled and land-clearing operations. Local governments can also have additional burning restrictions, and outdoor burning may be restricted during periods of high fire danger or drought.

For Chattooga County residents, the statewide summer restriction remains in place for the rest of September, with the regular burning season returning October 1.