Henry County Fire Department Encourages Safe Burning Practices

It’s "OK2-BURN" as of October 1, 2012

The metro wide burning ban will be lifted on Monday, October 1, 2012.  The ban will resume on May 1, 2013. The State of Georgia Environmental Protection Division mandates this ban.

On September 17, 2002, the Board of Commissioners of Henry County amended Section 3-4-113 of Article I of Subchapter 2 of Chapter 3-4 of the Code of Henry County, Georgia.  The ordinance no longer requires citizens to obtain a residential burning permit from Henry County Fire Department; however it does require citizens to obtain a daily permit through the Georgia   Forestry Commission.   A couple of options for obtaining a residential burning permit are: to call 1-877-OK-2-BURN (1-877-652-2876) or visit an on-line permitting system at www.gatrees.org. 

For acreage burns please contact the District Office for a permit, at 770-784-2480. Commercial permits still require a permit from Henry County Fire Department and a fee of $100.00. Residential and commercial burning will be permitted October 1, 2012 through April 30, 2013 and prohibited at all other times.  In the event of extreme weather conditions (high winds/prolonged drought), the Fire Department and/or the Forestry Commission may cancel burning in order to provide for the safety of the public.  During the time of the ban no residential or commercial burning will be permitted.  Violators of the Burning Ordinance are subject to a fine of up $1,000.00 per day, per violation or 60 days in jail, or both (Henry County Code, Section 3-4-113, page 1710.3).  The Henry County Fire Department strongly urges citizens to comply with this ordinance. For the safety of all citizens, this ordinance will be strictly enforced due to the growing population, the current drought, and the increase in fires started by careless burning.

Although residential burning is permitted, there is a nuisance ordinance that could become a factor in any given area.  Persons conducting burning will be expected to follow all rules of burning. 

Residential Burning Rules

• No burning of stumps or whole trees;
• No more than one pile, 6 ft. x 6 ft. and 5 ft. high shall be burned at one time;
• All burning shall be carried out between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm;
• All fires shall be completely extinguished by 6:00 pm;
• No burning on Sunday;
• No burning within 100 feet of any type of structure;
• All burning shall be located on private property so as not to interfere with any traffic on public streets or sidewalks;
• During any open burning, a competent person of at least eighteen (18) years of age shall be constantly present to monitor and control such burning; and
• During any open burning, an operational garden hose or fire extinguisher must be present within 50 feet of the fire.

The number one cause of wildfires in Georgia is burning debris.  “Many of these wildfires could be prevented if everyone would follow the rules for outdoor burning and NEVER leave their fire unattended,” stated Captain Sabrina Puckett.  Debris burning is caused by humans and humans can prevent wildfires by using safe practices when burning outdoor debris. 

*Commercial permits can be obtained at the Henry County Fire Department Headquarters located at 110 South Zack Hinton Parkway in McDonough.  For further information, contact the Henry County Fire Department at 770-288-6600.

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