* Georgia law no longer requires notification to the Georgia Forestry Commission by people planning to burn yard debris. Charges may apply if wildfire results from escaped burning and evidence show reasonable fire prevention precautions were not taken.
Safety, flexibility and service continue to be our watchwords at GFC, where we are analyzing “next steps” for our agency that comply with Governor Brian Kemp’s most recent Executive Order. The directive stipulates that our agency follows guidance from the Department of Administrative Services for the reopening of state offices. It is our intention to use that guidance to begin increasing service delivery to our landowners in a responsible way that still protects the health of our employees, our families and our communities.
What will that look like and what can you expect from us? With input from GFC staff statewide, representatives from various GFC service teams are working as a committee to address our reopening issues and plans. Until those plans are determined, our offices will remain closed. We’re still here for you, however, and can serve you via email or telephone:
- Burn permits – can be obtained online at GaTrees.org, or by calling 1-877-OK2-BURN (652-2876).
- Wildfire emergencies – GFC rangers are on call and available 24/7. To report a wildfire, call us. If human lives or structures are in danger, call 911.
- Questions, business requests or information about any regular services provided by the Georgia Forestry Commission – being answered by employees who are teleworking. Offices have been continually staffed by one person who is providing assistance and logging service requests.
- County-specific questions – may be directed here: https://gatrees.org/about/county-contacts/. County offices continue to be staffed by one person who is available for information and scheduling service requests.
When re-opening decisions that affect our customers are made, we’ll detail them here. Check back frequently!
And as social distancing and meticulous hygiene become standard operating procedure, we ask for your patience in the coming weeks. We will not be able to immediately return to operations as they existed before our response to the pandemic. Our plan is to move forward as safely as possible for our employees and for the communities we serve. Concurrently, we will be gradually ramping up our activities at GFC offices across Georgia and looking forward to serving you – and seeing you – in person once again.