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GENERAL OUTDOOR BURNING REGULATIONS FOR ALL TYPE BURNS

• There is a county wide state-mandated burning ban during the months of May, June, July, August, and September.
• All authorized burning shall occur between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and one hour before sunset.
• Open burning will not be authorized when conditions are such that the burn may jeopardize the safety of life and/or property.
• No open burning will authorized during an air pollution episode or when restrictions are imposed by a state or federal agency for any reason.
• The burning of “household” garbage, trash, and construction debris is not allowed. The burning off of lawns is not allowed.
• The Forsyth County Fire Department shall have the authority to cause any fire to be extinguished if it is determined that there is a danger to public safety, a danger to public or private property, a nuisance or sign of environmental harm.
• The company/contractor/landowner or their representatives in control of the property at the time of the burn is responsible for the compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance. All burns must be attended by a competent person 16 years or older having the ability to extinguish the fire.

RESIDENTIAL OUTDOOR BURNING REGULATIONS

A FORSYTH COUNTY FIRE DEPT. BURN PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING TYPE BURNS ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, HOWEVER: In Accordance with O.C.G.A. § 12-6-90, pre-burn notice of such burning must be provided to the forest ranger of the county wherein such burning is to be made or to an employee of the forestry unit serving such county who is authorized to grant permits. (CALL 706-216-2713) or go to www. gfc.state.ga.us for online permit.

LEAF PILES Burning of leaf piles on the premises on which they fall is allowed by the person in control of the premises.

No leaf burn pile shall be larger that six feet in diameter by two feet high. There shall be no more than two burn piles burning at any one time. There shall be ten feet between piles. No burning is allowed within fifty feet of a structure or twenty- five feet from an adjacent property line.

OTHER YARD DEBRIS Reduction of other “natural vegetation” such as trees, downed trees and parts thereof , pine straw, and sticks on the premises on which they fall(not cut down) is allowed by the person in control of such premises.

No burn pile shall be larger than six feet in diameter by two feet high. There shall be no more than two burn piles burning at any time. There shall be ten feet between burn piles.

No burns of these types will be authorized when the humidity is less than 25% or the winds are greater than 10 mph. Failure to comply with these rules which results in a uncontrolled fire or valid complaint that requires the response of the Forsyth County Fire Dept. will result in the fire being extinguished and possible citations being issued.

No permits are required from Forsyth County but you shall notify Forsyth County Fire Department at (678) 455-8072 for the following type burns after obtaining a permit from Georgia Forestry at (706) 216-2713 or online at www. gfc.state. ga .us:

• Agricultural burns
• Burning over of forest lands
• Burning to control disease
• Burning to control pests
• Emergency burning of storm damage debris

No notification is required for the following type burns to Forsyth County Fire Dept. or the Georgia Forestry Commission:

• Recreation/cooking fires
• Campfires in approved areas
• Open flame equipment/tar kettles/etc.
• Miscellaneous warming fires at construction sites. (Warming fires shall be contained within a metal barrel of 55-gallon capacity or less Untreated wood or lumber shall be the only material or substance permitted to be burned. The container for the warming fire shall be 25 feet from any structure. NO on ground warming fires are permitted. Warming fires are only permitted when the temperature is 40 degrees fahrenheit of less.

COMMERCIAL BURNING REGULATIONS
FORSYTH COUNTY BURN PERMITS, SITE INSPECTIONS, AND FEES ARE REQUIRED FOR:

• Open burning of vegetative material for the purpose of land clearing and/or the construction of right of ways.
• Permits shall only be issued when an Air Curtain Destructor (ACD) is being used and the following conditions are being met:
• The location of the ACD is at least 300 feet from any dwelling or public road, street, or highway.
• No more than one air curtain destructor is operated within a 10-acre area at one time or there must be at least 1000 feet between any two ACDs.
• Only wood waste consisting of trees, logs, large brush and stumps, which are relatively free of soil, are to be burned.
• Tires or other rubber products, plastics, heavy oils, asphalt materials, are not to be used to start or maintain the operation of an ACD.
• The ACD is to be operated in accordance with operating procedures set forth by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. ( Manual available at Fire Department Headquarters.)
• The cleaning out of the ACD pit is being performed in a manner to prevent fugitive dust or excessive smoke.
• Permits may be issued for open burning of agricultural land where use of an ACD is not practical after a review by the Forsyth County Fire Dept.
• The Chief of the Forsyth County Fire Department or his/her designee will issue all required Forsyth County permits.
• The Fire Chief or his/her designee may revoke or suspend permits at any time if conditions or permit restrictions require such.
• Permits are valid for thirty days. The fee for such permit is $500.00 and must be submitted prior to the permit being issued. A permit is required for each ACD used and for each burn site.

PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING COMMERCIAL BURN PERMITS:

1. Contact the Forsyth County Fire Department during normal business hours, M-F 8a.m to 4p.m (except holidays) (678) 455-8072

2. Those permits that do not require a site visit will be issued at that time.

3. The request for a permit where a site inspection is required must be made at least 48 hours prior to the burn. A site inspection will be scheduled. If the site is found to be in order a permit will be issued at that time.

4. Pit must be dug and ACD set up according to Department of Natural Resources rules prior to inspection.

5. Where a fee is required the fee must be paid at the time the permit is issued. The payment must be by check or money order

only, made payable to the Forsyth County Fire Department. The fee is $500.00 for thirty days per ACD.