Due to a burning ban by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources continuing through Sept. 30, Fulton County residents are prohibited from burning leaves, tree limbs, other yard waste or land clearing debris.
The Fulton County Fire Rescue Department is responsible for the enforcement of this state-wide burning ban in their jurisdiction. Enforcement will include extinguishing all unauthorized outdoor fires and/or issuing citations.
Each year, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources issues a ban on open burning. Fulton and 54 other counties in Georgia are part of the ban. According to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, during the summer months in Atlanta, the ozone in the air can reach unhealthy levels. EPD has identified open burning as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone. Therefore, open burning in metro Atlanta and the surrounding areas is restricted during this time.
As an alternative to burning, debris can be hauled to a commercial processing/grinding/composting operation or to an inert or construction and demolition landfill. For a list of landfills in your area, please call EPD’s Solid Waste Management Program at 404-362-2692.
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