Chatter on social media and phone calls to The Blackshear Times’ office have revealed ongoing confusion about whether a burn permit is required and also what kinds of materials can be burned in the wake of a state issued burn ban being lifted nearly a month ago.
As previously reported by The Times, a burn ban imposed during the height of wildfires in Pierce, Brantley and other counties was lifted by a May 13 executive order from Brian Kemp. Despite the executive order, many citizens were unaware the burn ban was lifted or what the requirements and personal obligations are in place should they wish to burn something on their property.
Simply put, only natural vegetation is permitted to be burned. When and where you can burn it and whether or not a permit is required depends upon if the location is within city limits or in the county, according to local officials.
Within Blackshear city limits, it is preferred residents take advantage of the yard debris pick up offered by the city’s public works department. If burning debris is absolutely necessary, a burn permit is required and must be obtained from the Blackshear Fire Department at 912-449-7011 or 912-590-5107.
It is illegal to burn man made materials such as tires, shingles, plastics, paper, cardboard, clothing, lumber, construction materials and household garbage. In or out of a barrel the material restrictions are the same. The fire must never be left unattended and must be extinguished 30 minutes before dark.
The rules are much the same out in the county, but the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and potentially additional county ordinances are in effect, with the requirements for burn permits being somewhat more relaxed.
The GFC website says no permit is required to burn specifically handpiled vegetation, meaning leaves and branches gather by hand or using handheld tools. Fires should be at least 20 feet from the woods, 50 feet from any structures and conducted only during daylight hours.
Agriculture, silviculture and land-clearing burns for residential or commercial development do require notification to the county forest ranger and a permit is still required for these activities.
While agricultural burns, such as for orchards or tilled fields do require a permit, they are typically approved. Sources at the GFC hotline said they are currently directed to approve all agricultural burn permit requests.
Machine piled vegetation, such as trees, branches, stumps and other debris mounded together by use of backhoes, tractors, bulldozers and other machinery requires a burn permit, which can be obtained by calling 912632-7321 or 1-800-GATREES.
GFC recommends citizens still coordinate with their local fire department as a courtesy even when a burn permit is not required. It always helps fire control for authorities to know where burning is taking place.
Suspicious or non-permitted burning can be reported to GFC at 912-6327321 and following the prompts. Dangerous or out of control burning should be immediately reported by calling 911.
