Obtain a Permit to Burn before the Match is Lit

Fall is in the air, the foliage is beginning to change in the trees and before we know it, the leaves will be falling in colorful trails to cover Auburn’s city streets and sidewalks.

As a fresh layer of red, orange, gold and brown fill the well-manicured lawns of neighborhoods in and around Auburn, city hall wishes to remind residents of a few steps to take before lighting those multi-hued piles ablaze.

Like most counties in North Georgia, Barrow County has been under a burn ban from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, a ban that stays in place from May 1 to Sept. 30 each year. This ban on outdoor burning was established to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations. During the summer months in Georgia, the ozone in the air can reach unhealthy levels. The Georgia EPD has identified open burning as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone. Therefore, open burning in metro Atlanta and larger counties must be restricted during the summer months.

With the arrival of October and the lifting of the ban, residents wishing to dispose of their leaves by burning are required to obtain a permit from the Georgia Forestry Commission.

You can obtain a burn permit for “Hand Piled Natural Vegetation, including leaf piles on the premises, and vegetative debris disposal from storm damage, weed abatement, disease and/or pest prevention” online or by calling 1-877-OK2-BURN (652-2876). Keep in mind that permits are only good for the day that they are issued, and fires should not be initiated before 8 a.m. and should be completely extinguished before dark. Always check the Fire Weather Forecast and Current Fire Danger Rating for your area before initiating any type of outdoor burn. These permits are issued for natural vegetation only — it is unlawful to burn man-made materials such as tires, shingles, plastics, lumber and household garbage.

When burning, exercise extreme caution. Much of Georgia has been in severe drought conditions thanks to a long, hot and dry summer. Escaped burning is the number one cause of wildfire, and forestry experts believe that wildfire risk will be above normal this fall. Alan Dozier, chief of protection for the Georgia Forestry Commission, recommends you have the appropriate tools on hand before burning so you’re ready to react in the event of an emergency. Those tools should include a hose and a shovel to extinguish the fire if it starts to get out of hand and a cell phone to call 9-1-1 as quickly as possible, if needed.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! The 20th annual Auburnfest will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 in downtown Auburn.

Check back every Monday for a new City Spotlight on Auburn.