The seasonal “burn ban” covering much of Georgia – including here in Milton – goes into effect in a few days as part of efforts to lessen the risk of destructive wildfires and optimize air quality.

Every year, the rules regarding open burns change between May 1 and September 30 across 54 Georgia counties (one of which is Fulton County). The restrictions added over those months – which typically are dryer and hotter, thus more prone to wildfires – are referred to as a “burn ban.”

“We in Milton, as well as our partners throughout the state, want to keep people and properties safe, as well as keep our air breathable, when temperatures climb,” Fire Marshal Andrew Kennedy said. “The ‘burn ban’ is a useful tool to do that, and we appreciate our citizens abiding by it.”

Most land area in Milton is zoned AG-1, or agricultural, with each parcel at least one acre in size. Starting Thursday, no open burning in these areas will be allowed.

There are exceptions, specifically allowing open burns:

• Needed to produce and/or harvest crops on “recognized agricultural procedures”
• On parcels 5 acres or larger to burn “vegetative material for agricultural operations”

Even these exceptions don’t apply when there’s a “Fire Danger Rating” of 3 or higher as measured by the Georgia Forestry Commission and updated daily online HERE: https://weather.gfc.state.ga.us/Maps/fd.gif. So no open burning is allowed based on this rating, which indicates an especially high danger for wildfires based on combinations of high heat, dry conditions, and winds that could fan flames.

People in Milton also cannot do open burns if they create smoke with an opacity greater than 40% that could adversely affect the health or welfare of community members.

Notably, open burns aren’t allowed year-round in parts of Milton that aren’t zoned agricultural (so more densely populated areas). The burn ban, though, doesn’t apply to backyard barbeques and the like.

If you have questions or concerns about open burns in the city, please contact the Fire Marshal’s office at 678-242-2541 or fire.marshal@miltonga.gov.