As the weather gets hotter, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has placed a damper on outdoor burning.
The state department has issued an ban on open burning in more than 50 Georgia counties from May 1-Sept. 30.
During the ban period, residents cannot burn leaves, tree limbs or other yard waste.
The state Environmental Protection Division imposes a ban on outdoor burning to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, during the hot Georgia summers, the ozone often reaches unhealthy levels. The EPD has identified open burning as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone.
In Metro Atlanta, outdoor burning is banned in Carroll, Clayton, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Henry, Rockdale and Spalding.
To get a list of all 54 counties, log on to: www.gfc.state.ga.us/ForestFire/GeorgiaBurnBan.cfm
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