Drought prompts burn ban in Douglas County

Douglas County on Thursday banned outdoor burning until further notice due to “extreme” drought conditions.

During the ban, which is in effect until further notice, residents cannot burn household garbage, yard and land-clearing debris, Douglas commission spokesman Wes Tallon said in a statement. The ban does not apply to cooking and grilling outdoors.

“No outdoor burn permits will be issued by the Douglas County Fire/EMS Department until further notice,” Tallon said.”Failure to adhere to the burn ban may result in fines.”

The ban was instituted as the drought expanded in Georgia. Douglas is in an “extreme” drought, the second most severe drought designation, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

“Since no rain is predicted for the next week,” it is likely conditions will worsen to the “exceptional drought category within the next few days,” Tallon said. “Exceptional” is the most severe designation.

Officials asked residents to monitor fires from allowed outdoor activities “until they are out cold, which means no heat at all is coming from the fire.”