Sunday, Apr. 30, 2023–8:00 p.m.

-Staff reports-

Georgia’s outdoor burn ban begins today.

The annual Environmental Protection Division summer burn ban will is in effect through Sept. 30 and will be enforced in 54 Georgia counties, including Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Chattooga, and Polk.

Citizens and businesses are prohibited from burning yard and land-clearing debris in addition to the year-round state ban on the burning of household garbage.

Some exemptions to the burn ban will include campfires, fire pits, barbeques, agricultural burning, prescribed forestry burns, firefighting training, and operation of open flame equipment.

During the summer months, the ozone in the air we breathe can reach unhealthy levels. The EPD has identified open burning as a significant contributor to the pollutants that form ozone.