FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 13, 2023
As area residents continue cleaning up from recent severe weather, the Georgia Forestry Commission is issuing an important reminder. The burning of vegetative debris is allowed, ONLY if piles do NOT contain man-made or construction/demolition (C&D) debris. Such items can contain potentially harmful toxins and may not be included in machine- or hand-piled debris burns.
To accommodate residents’ needs, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division has extended the traditional beginning of its summer burn ban in Troup County. The annual burn ban will, instead, begin on July 1, 2023.
An air curtain destructor is not required for burning machine-piled storm debris before that deadline, though a burn permit is mandated for these large burns for the protection of air quality. Troup County officials are advising residents to utilize proper designated waste facilities for C&D materials that cannot be legally burned in machine- or hand-piles.
For residents burning smaller, back-yard debris piles, a burn permit is no longer required. The law does, however, mandate a burner take full responsibility for their fire by following specific safety procedures. Learn more here: https://gatrees.org/burn-permits-and-notifications/.
The tornado that caused widespread damage in Troup County on March 26 was one of five tornadoes to hit the area since January of this year.