Uptick seen in out-of-control brush fires
Rabun County Fire Services is seeing an uptick in out of control brush fires and reminds residents to understand safety tips and to be weather-aware before outdoor burning.
Justin Upchurch, assistant chief for Rabun County Fire Services, said oftentimes these out-of-control brush fires are preventable.
Georgia Forestry Commission issued changes to Georgia’s outdoor burn notification system effective July 1, 2021.
“The law no longer requires a burner to inform the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) online or by phone about their intention to burn leaf piles and yard debris. New legal safety requirements are now specified for this type of debris burning,” according to information from the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Upchurch said Rabun County does not issue burn permits but it is very important for the burner to be weather-aware and be familiar with the National Weather Service red flag warnings for fire danger levels before any outdoor burning occurs.
The assistant chief said the person burning must understand safety precautions and is liable if damages occur to adjacent properties as a result of burning.
Upchurch said cooking and warming fires are classified separately and do not necessarily fall under these guidelines.
It is lawful to burn hand-piled, natural vegetation that was accumulated on your property. It is unlawful to burn trash or building materials, such as shingles.
According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, changes to the outdoor burn notification system were made “to reduce the number of wildfires in Georgia and protect landowners’ right to burn. The changes shift safety responsibilities and awareness to those conducting outdoor burning of hand-piled, natural vegetation.”
There are five safety precautions mandated by the new law. They can be remembered through the acronym SSTAR.
S:Space-There must be 25-plus feet between the fire and woodlands.
S:Space-There must be 50-plus feet between the fire and any structures.
T:Time-Burning is only permitted between sunrise and sunset.
A:Attendance-The person responsible for the burning must stay onsite until the fire is completely extinguished and there is no risk of the burn escaping.
R: Reasonable Precautions- It is important to have tools/measures in place to prevent escaped fire. These include having a continuous pressurized water source on site; having a man-made or natural barrier to contain the fire such as bare soil, rocks, bricks, or a burn barrel; and having hand tools and fire-containing equipment on site such as a rake, shovel, or garden hoe.
The burner should also be weather-aware and adhere to weather service red flag warnings, high fire danger designation of “Very High” or “Extreme” days and other hazardous conditions such as low relative humidity and high winds.
When is notification of burning required?
Notification to the county forest ranger and a permit are still required for agriculture, silviculture, and land-clearing burns for residential or commercial development, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Unlawful Burn Notices may be issued and suppression charges may apply if the stated safety requirements weren’t followed and a wildfire results.
Visit www.gatrees.org and www.weather.gov/fire for more information and resources on burning requirements, safety, and area fire danger.