If you’ve got yard wastes to burn, you have until next Tuesday to get it done unless you’re willing to wait until fall.
The Georgia Environ-mental Protection Division’s annual open burning ban for 54 counties will start in May 1 and end on Sept. 30.
The open burning ban is not new. It began in 1996 with the 13-county metro Atlanta area and has been in effect for the current area since 2005. That area includes Jackson, Banks, Barrow and Madison counties.
The open burning ban prohibits citizens and businesses from burning yard and land-clearing debris. The rule is in addition to the year-round state ban on the burning of household garbage.
Some actions, such as campfires and agricultural activities, are exempt.
Citizens can get more information on the open burning ban by going to EPD’s Air Protection Branch website at www.georgiaair.org and clicking on the open burning flame or by calling the EPD district office in their area. Small businesses can get help and information by calling EPD’s Small Business Environmental Assistance Program toll-free at 1-877-427-6255.
For the Northeast District Office, citizens should call Athens at 706-369-6376.
For more information about alternatives to burning such as composting and chipping, call Joe Dunlop at the Department of Community Affairs at 404-679-4940 or email him at joe.dunlop@dca.ga.gov. Citizens may also access a map of Georgia composing operations at www.gaepd.org/Documents/swp_map02.html.
