County burn ban lifted, but officials remind residents to follow burn rules

White County has lifted a recent burn ban due to improving weather conditions, but safety officials are reminding the community of the rules of outdoor burning according to Georgia law.

Property owners who do not follow the burn regulations can be cited and held liable.

Though the Georgia Forestry Commission no longer requires a burn permit for small hand-piled vegetation due to a change in state law, the pubic is advised to follow these rules to burn safely.

Remember SSTAR

• Space – Keep fires at least 25 feet from woodlands and forest

• Space – Keep fires at least 25 feet from homes and other structures

• Time – No burning before sunrise or after sunset

• Attendance – Someone must be on-site until fire is extinguished

• Reasonable precautions –

• Keep tools and measures in place to prevent escaped fire;
• Keep a continuous pressurized water source on site;
• Create a man-made or natural barrier to contain fire;
• Keep hand tools/fire-containing equipment on site
• Weather awareness: No burning on NWS red flag warning days, Fire Danger designation of hazardous conditions – High/Extreme days, low relative humidity days, high winds, etc. 

Remember the five responsibilities you have and must legally take when you burn hand piled debris. 

Contact White County Public Safety or White County Fire Services at 706-865-9500 with any questions or concerns.