Gwinnett County Open Burn Ban In Effect Through September

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — The annual burn ban for Gwinnett County residents is in place now through September 30.

Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services follows guidance from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, which imposes restrictions on outdoor open burning to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations.

“During the summer months in Georgia, the ozone in the air we breathe can reach unhealthy levels” fire officials stated in a news release. “The EPD has identified outdoor open burning as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone.”

Residents should exercise extreme caution when using grills or campfires, they said. The use of charcoal, wood, and gas grills on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction is prohibited year-round for commercial buildings and apartments under the Gwinnett County Fire Ordinance.

The following types of outdoor open burning are banned:

• The outdoor open burning ban prohibits the burning of yard and land clearing debris during the months of May through September. This includes a ban on the use of air curtain destructors for land clearing.

The following types of outdoor open burning are still allowed, provided the proper permits are obtained:

• Fires for agricultural practices in areas zoned RA-200/residential agricultural or a Forestry Service prescribed burn.
• Fires for the purpose of training of firefighting personnel.

For additional information concerning the summer open burning ban, please visit the Georgia Environmental Protection Division's website. For additional information on outdoor burning in Gwinnett County, visit GwinnettFireMarshal.com or contact the Community Risk Reduction Division at (678)-518-4980.