Though a drought is still affecting Georgia, recent rain and damp weather prompted the Georgia For-estry Commission to remove a ban on outdoor burning.

The ban had prohibited residents, including those in Forsyth County, from burning piles of naturally fallen debris during the day. Now that the ban is no longer in place, resident can request a burn permit on a day-to-day basis.

“You have to check out website daily and call to confirm if we’re allowing burning that day,” Forsyth County Fire Department Division Chief Jason Shivers said. “You can also call the Georgia Forestry Commission and they can confirm if Forsyth County is allowing burning.

“Some days, we do not allow burning because the weather conditions simply are not safe.”

That may include gusty winds or when humidity conditions are not conducive to open flames.

“If you burn a pile on New Year’s Day, it’s just like any other day, when it may or may not be allowed,” Shivers said.
Burning, when allowed, can be done between 10 a.m. and one hour before sunset.

To find out whether burning is allowed on a certain day, visit Forsythco.com and click on outdoor burn-ing regulations.