Safety First When Burning Debris

Gwinnett County fire officials are encouraging people to use extra caution when choosing to burn debris in their yards, instead of having it hauled away. 

"Now is the time of year when most people tend to clear vegetation and yard debris from their property," officials said in press release. "It’s also a time when firefighters see an increase in the number of grass fires that damage property and tie up valuable resources."

Typically, property owners may burn small amounts of yard debris from Oct. 1 to April 30 each year. Outdoor burning in metro Atlanta is prohibited annually from the beginning of May to the end of September.

However, there are specific "no burn" days that prohibit outdoor burning. These days usually arise because of weather conditions that create the potential for rapid fire growth.

These fires can quickly get out of control, threatening nearby homes, other structures and even motorists. Outdoor burns are also considered to be a nuisance or an inconvenience.

“Our belief is that people may not be aware of the rules for outdoor burning or the fact that a particular day is not a burn day,” said Captain Tommy Rutledge, spokesman for Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services. 

Rutledge said that a notice of non-compliance or an actual citation may be issued if the burn is not being conducted in accordance with the established fire ordinance.

Following are tips from the Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services about the fire ordinance and the rules and regulations for outdoor/open burning activities:

RULES FOR OUTDOOR BURNING:

• Burning shall be conducted during daylight hours only, Monday through Saturday. Burning is NOT allowed after dark or on Sundays. This rule applies only if the day has not been designated as a “no burn” day.
• Burning shall be of natural fallen vegetation, such as limbs, leaves and twigs. Burning trash or other materials is not allowed.
• Burning shall be in small piles, maximum size is 3 feet by 3 feet.
• The burn pile shall be at least 50 feet from any structure.
• The burn pile shall be constantly attended (supervised) and a water source, such as a garden hose that can reach the burn pile. Firefighters also suggest having a portable fire extinguisher close by.
• The burn pile shall be completely extinguished before dusk. Burning after dark is not allowed.

OUTDOOR BURNING RESTRICTIONS:

• Outdoor burning is NOT allowed after dark or on Sundays.
• No burning is allowed if the Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services or a representative from the CRR-Fire Marshal’s Office deems the burn to be offensive to others or poses a health risk to people in the area.
• No outdoor burning is allowed if winds exceed 15 miles per hour. Never conduct an outdoor burn on a windy day! Steady winds contribute to the fast spread of fires.
• No outdoor burning when it is overcast, raining or foggy. Burning is only allowed on clear days with little or no cloud cover. Burning is not allowed within 24 hours after a period of rain. This causes the smoke to bank-down closer to the ground, presenting a hazard.
• No burning of household garbage. Only natural/fallen yard vegetation is allowed. This includes limbs, leaves and twigs.

For more details on outdoor debris burning, check www.gwinnettfiremarshal.com, or call the Burn Information Line at 678.518.4979.