Georgia’s burn ban is in effect now until Sept. 30. Here’s what you need to know.

Chelsea Madden
·2 min read

It’s finally May in Georgia, which means sunshine, grilling out and the end of school for many residents.

However, it also means an open burn ban.

The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) issued a burn ban for more than 50 Georgia counties and it will be in effect from May 1 through Sept. 30.

What is a burn ban?

A burn ban prohibits people and businesses from burning yard debris, land-clearing debris and garbage during the summer ozone, which runs May 1 to the end of September. During the summer months, Georgia begins to heat up fast and air can reach unhealthy levels; burning can increase these unhealthy levels if it is done too frequently.

What can you do and not do?

Burn bans prohibit the burning of debris and trash.

Campfires, recreational use and grilling outside are still fine.

Is the burn ban really necessary?

Burn bans not only protect the atmosphere, but they also protect people with certain conditions.

“Small particles are released into the atmosphere during open burning. In addition, other air pollutants are released that can form ground-level ozone in the summertime. Particulate pollution can cause chronic heart diseases and ground-level ozone can cause inflammation of the lungs, especially in children and people with asthma,” said James Boylan, Chief of the EPD Air Protection Branch.

What happens if I burn during the burn ban?

Burning an open fire during the burn ban could result in fines from EPD.

Counties included and contact information for the corresponding EPD office are below:

  • Mountain District Office (Atlanta): 404-362-2671; Carroll, Clayton, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Henry, Rockdale and Spalding counties.

  • Northeast District Office (Athens): 706-369-6376; Banks, Barrow, Butts, Clarke, Hall, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Putnam and Walton counties.

  • East Central District Office (Augusta): 706-667-4343; Columbia and Richmond counties.

  • West Central District Office (Macon): 478-751-6612; Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Lamar, Monroe, Peach, Pike, Twiggs, Upson, Meriwether and Troup counties.

  • Mountain District Office (Cartersville): 770-387-4900; Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Dawson, Floyd, Forsyth, Gordon, Haralson, Lumpkin, Paulding, Pickens, Polk and Walker counties.