Page 28 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 4 - Fall 2021

GFC Bleckley/Pulaski Chief Ranger David Brown discusses outdoor burn notification changes with landowner George Grimsley in Hawkinsville, GA.
of materials you are permitted to burn outdoors: only all-natural vegetation, such as grass and hedge clippings, limbs, leaves, pinecones and other naturally occurring debris, on the premises where they have occurred. In addition, debris cannot be collected at one location and hauled/transported to another site for the purposes of burning. It is unlawful to burn man-made materials such as household garbage, lumber and plastic.
Before You Burn,
Take 5!
The GFC has launched a campaign to help landowners remember their responsibilities under the new law. Multiple resources are available at GATrees.org, including a video, fact sheets, a copy of the code and Frequently Asked Questions.
As for the five safety standards we mentioned above, there’s an easy-to- remember trick for keeping them top of mind, called the “Take 5! Star.” Each point of the star-shaped Take 5 logo represents
Safety Measures to Prevent Wildfires
Did you know that escaped leaf pile and yard debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in Georgia? Each year, more than 3,500 wildfires are recorded in our state, and most of them got their start from a backyard burn gone bad.
Despite a requirement to notify the GFC about planned burns and the best intentions of burners, wildfire inci- dence has remained steady over the years. Wildland firefighters continue to see common mistakes lead to the loss of woodlands, structures and even lives. Complacency is often to blame when fires are left unattended, or smolder- ing embers catch a breeze, only to land
and ignite some waiting forest litter. It became clear that change was needed so that a focus on burning safety was not just a good idea; it had to become second nature, with laws that have teeth and ensure burners take full responsibility for containing their fires, and that they are liable for any damage that results from escaped burning.
The new law supports Georgians’ right to burn and it outlines measures required of burners to ensure safety. Those measures include five safety standards: 1) adequate space between the fire and woodlands and 2) adequate space between the fire and structures; 3) sunrise-to-sunset burning time frame; 4) person responsible must stay onsite until the fire is extinguished; 5) reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent escaped fire.
It’s important to remember the types
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