Outdoor burning restrictions, in place since May 1 to combat summer ozone levels, will be lifted for 54 northern Georgia counties, including Chattooga and surrounding counties, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) announced on Thursday of this week.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division annually imposes these restrictions from May 1 through the end of September to mitigate emission-related ozone levels that typically rise during warmer summer months. With cooler weather and improved atmospheric conditions, the seasonal ban is rescinded.

“Air quality is better for burning in fall,” stated Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) Director Johnny Sabo, emphasizing that “local conditions are always the determining factor for a safe burn, so weather awareness and preparedness are essential.”

The 54 counties where the burn ban will be lifted 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.

While the air quality improves, autumn also brings an increased risk of wildfire. GFC Protection Chief Thomas Barrett underscored the critical importance of adhering to safety regulations when conducting outdoor burns. “Debris burning that gets out of control is the leading cause of wildfire,” Barrett cautioned. “If that happens, burners must be able to prove they took precautions before lighting their outdoor fire.”

State law mandates several safety precautions for outdoor burning. These include maintaining set spacing distances between fires and woodlands or structures, restricting burn times to between sunrise and sunset, ensuring constant burner attendance at the fire, and taking reasonable precautions such as being aware of weather conditions and having suppression tools readily available.

For comprehensive details on safe burning practices, including video tutorials in both English and Spanish, residents are encouraged to visit GaTrees.org/burn-permits-and-notifications/. Separate notification procedures apply for professionals conducting prescribed burns.

For more information about safe burning and services offered by the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit GaTrees.org. Details on air quality regulations can be found at https://epd.georgia.gov/air-protection-branch/open-burning-rules-georgia.

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