Summer Outdoor Burn Ban Lifted Oct. 1

The annual summer burn ban period in Gwinnett County is projected to come to a close on Oct. 1.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division restricted open burning during summer months in metro Atlanta and larger counties to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations. 

“Outdoor burning is a significant contributor of pollutants that can form unhealthy levels of ozone in the air we breathe,” said Lt. Colin Rhoden, Gwinnett County Fire Public Information Officer, in a press release.

“Gwinnett County residents who want to burn during this time frame must follow the county ordinance restrictions that cover ALL outdoor burning,” stated Rhoden.

The types of fires that are allowed without a permit are:

• The burning of leaves, limbs, and natural vegetation that may fall on one’s property
• Fires for the purpose of keeping warm
• Fires for the purpose of cooking food for human consumption
• Recreational fires in a commercially available chiminea or outdoor fireplace

The types of fires that require written permits from Gwinnett County Fire Plan Review are:

• Land clearing pit fires
• Bonfires

The following general rules govern all burning:

• Never leave an outdoor fire unattended.
• The Fire Marshal’s Office may temporarily prohibit any and/or all outdoor fires.
• Burning is not permitted when prevailing winds are predicted to be, or are, in excess of 15 miles per hour, when the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning or a Fire Weather Watch, or during an air pollution episode, such as an air pollution alert, warning, or emergency declared by proper authorities. You also must wait at least one day following the passage of a cold front before burning.
• No burning of solid waste or household garbage is allowed.  No burning of any materials that emit a heavy dark smoke, such as rubber products, oils, roofing material, petroleum based products, etc.
• No burning when smoke presents a health hazard to persons near the fire.
• No burning shall be conducted within 20 feet of flammable, combustible, or explosive materials unless otherwise specified by the Fire Marshal’s Office.
• No burning on Sundays or nights. Compliant bonfires, cooking fires, and recreational fires in chimineas and outdoor fireplaces may be burned on Sunday and at night provided all other criteria and restrictions are applied.

Complete information about outdoor burning can be found at www.gwinnettcounty.com  in the publication Outdoor and Open Burning or you can contact the Gwinnett County Fire Marshal’s office at firemarshal@gwinnettcounty.com or phone 678-518-4980.