CLEVELAND — Due to recent weather conditions, including periods of low humidity and high winds, White County remains under a season of high fire danger.
While no official burn ban has been issued at this time, White County Public Safety strongly discourages any outdoor burning until conditions improve. The following is a reminder as to what regulations White County follows and safe practices for outdoor burning.
What You Can Burn Without a Permit:
You do not need a permit for burning hand-piled natural vegetation (such as leaves, limbs, and pine cones) on the property where it fell.
You May Not Burn:
- Trash or household garbage
- Lumber or plastic
- Any man-made materials
- In burn barrels (burn barrels are not permitted)
For Other Types of Burns:
- Burning for agriculture, land clearing, or vegetative storm debris requires notification to or a permit from the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC).
- Call 1-800-GA-TREES (428-7337) to obtain permission.
- Please note: Permits are only valid for the day they are issued.
“STAR” Requirements for Outdoor Burning — The Georgia Forestry Commission recommends following these safety guidelines when burning hand-piled vegetation:
S – Space: Minimum 25 feet from woodlands, 50 feet from structures
T – Time: Burn only from sunrise to sunset
A – Attendance: A responsible person must remain with the fire until it is completely extinguished
R – Reasonable Precautions:
- Keep a continuous, pressurized water source nearby
- Create a natural or man-made firebreak (bare soil, rocks, ponds, etc.)
- Have tools like a shovel or rake on hand
- Stay alert to weather conditions, including any Red Flag Warnings or days rated Very High or Extreme fire danger
Important Reminder — Outdoor burning is only permitted for all-natural vegetation. Materials must be burned on the property where they originated.
White County Public Safety urges residents to use extreme caution. Northeast Georgia has been under a period of high fire danger, and while conditions improve, it is critical to take precautions and follow all outdoor burning regulations.
White County Public Information Officer Bryce Barrett warns, “One spark can quickly turn into a dangerous wildfire if proper safety measures are not followed.”
