The Emergency Outdoor Burn Ban implemented in Rabun County has been lifted, according to local officials.
The ban was effective at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, and ended Wednesday, Nov. 22, at noon.
Georgia Forestry Commission issued changes to Georgia’s outdoor burn notification system effective July 1, 2021.
“The law no longer requires a burner to inform the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) online or by phone about their intention to burn leaf piles and yard debris. New legal safety requirements are now specified for this type of debris burning,” according to the Georgia Forestry Commission outdoor burn notification system fact sheet.
“Even though we are not under a current ban and we don’t issue burn permits, the person burning is responsible for their fire and this includes checking for high fire danger days,” said Rabun County Fire Services Assistant Chief Justin Upchurch.
The burner should be weather-aware and be familiar with the National Weather Service red flag warnings for fire danger levels before any outdoor burning occurs.
There are five safety precautions mandated by the new law. They can be remembered through the acronym SSTAR.
Space – There must be 25-plus feet between the fire and woodlands
Space –There must be 50-plus feet between the fire and structures
Time – Burning is only permitted between sunrise and sunset
Attendance – The person responsible should stay onsite until the fire is completely extinguished and there is no risk of burn escaping.
Reasonable Precautions – It is important to have tools in place to prevent escaped fire. These include: a continuous pressurized water source on site; a man-made or natural barrier to contain the fire such as bare soil, rocks, bricks, burn barrel, etc.; hand tools or fire-containing equipment on site, such as a rake, shovel, garden hoe, etc.
The burner should be weather-aware and adhere to weather service red flag warnings, high fire danger designation of very high or extreme days and other hazardous conditions, low relative humidity, winds, etc.
It is lawful to burn hand-piled, natural vegetation that was accumulated on your property. It is unlawful to burn trash or building materials, such as shingles.
According to the fact sheet, changes were made to the outdoor burn notification system “to reduce the number of wildfires in Georgia and protect landowners’ right to burn. The changes shift safety responsibilities and awareness to those conducting outdoor burning of hand-piled natural vegetation.”
When is notification of burning required?
Notification to the county forest ranger and a permit are still required for agriculture, silviculture, and land-clearing burns for residential or commercial development, according to the fact sheet.
The person responsible is liable for damages to adjacent properties due to fire escape.
Unlawful Burn Notices may be issued and suppression charges may apply if the stated safety requirements weren’t followed and wildfire results.
Visit www.gatrees.org and www.weather.gov/fire for more information and resources on burning requirements, safety and area fire danger.