A burn ban in effect for Pierce County has been lifted.
Governor Brian Kemp lifted the ban by executive order Wednesday, May 13.
Pierce County Fire Chief Chris Todd encourages residents to still be cautious when doing any outdoor burning.
The burn ban was put in place for all Georgia counties April 22, in response to wildfires burning in Brantley, Clinch and Echols Counties.
Both of those fires are now at 95 percent containment, following a recent spate of rainy weather. The better weather conditions allowed fire crews to work on establishing better containment lines and extinguishing hot spots and flare ups.
The U.S. Highway 82 fire consumed over 22,000 acres and burned over 100 buildings in Brantley County last month.
More recent online chatter indicates some confusion among the general public as to if the ban was lifted or not. Calls to both the county commission and The Blackshear Times offices from individual citizens have confirmed not everyone is on the same page.
Donna Golding, at the county commission office, reconfirmed the ban has been lifted since last month and no new ban is in place. She advised those in the county wanting to burn and feeling unsure should call Georgia Forestry and get a permit.
Blackshear Police Chief Chris Wright echoed similar statements for those living inside the city limits, where requirements are a little more stringent. Natural vegetation may be burned in a burn barrel, but for those needing to burn anything not in a barrel, Wright says a burn permit is still required.
