Beginning May 1, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) open burning ban will be in effect for 54 Georgia counties.  The open burning ban has been in place during the summer ozone season since 2005.

     The open burning ban prohibits citizens and businesses from burning yard and land-clearing debris from May 1 through September 30. This is in addition to the rule that prohibits the burning of household garbage. Burning household garbage is never allowed anywhere in Georgia.

     Ground-level ozone is most commonly produced in the heat of the summer.  Ground-level ozone can cause lung inflammation as well as other health problems. Open burning also creates particle pollution, which consists of extremely small particles that can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

     May through September is a time of year when people, particularly children, are more likely to be outdoors. The outdoor activity also coincides with the increase in ground-level ozone and particle pollution.

     “We can’t control the weather,” said Karen Hays, Chief of the Georgia EPD Air Protection Branch.  ”Limiting open burning during the summer months helps to improve Georgia’s air quality.”

     Recreational activities such as campfires and grilling are exempt from the open burning ban.  Agricultural activities are also exempt.

     Some Georgia counties and cities have burning restrictions that are more stringent than the open burning ban. You may need a burn permit from the Georgia Forestry Commission before conducting any burning.   EPD recommends that citizens check with their local Fire Marshall and the Georgia Forestry Commission before conducting any burning.

     Citizens can access more information on the open burning ban by visiting http://epd.georgia.gov/ and clicking on “Open Burning Ban” under Quick Links, or by calling the EPD District Office in their area (phone numbers listed below). Counties included in the ban and the appropriate EPD District Office phone numbers follow:

  • 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.

     For more information about alternatives to burning, such as composting and chipping, please visit Alternatives to Burning.   You may also access a map of Georgia composting operations at http://epd.georgia.gov/composting-operations-georgia.

     Debris can also be hauled to a commercial processing/grinding/composting operation or to an inert or construction and demolition landfill. For a list of landfills in your area, please call EPD’s Solid Waste Management Program at 404-362-2692 and/or visit the Land Protection Branch website for more details: http://epd.georgia.gov/land-protection-branch

Contact Information:

News Media Contact: Vicky Giles – 404-362-2627