Public Safety: Rules for Outdoor Burning in Cherokee County

By Chief Tim Prather

The outdoor burn ban in Georgia was officially lifted on October 1, 2021. For those who live in Cherokee County, outdoor burning is currently allowed until April 30, 2022, between the hours of 10:00am and one hour before sunset. In the past, individuals were required to obtain a daily permit through the Georgia Forestry Commission. While that is no longer the case, there are important guidelines to follow.

Cherokee County requires permits for bonfires and land clearing fires. Bonfires are defined as larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. Only logs or clean wood can be burned for ceremonial purposes. Clean wood is wood that has not been painted, varnished, or coated with a similar material; has not been pressure treated with preservatives; and does not contain resins or glues as in plywood or other composite wood products.

Land clearing or commercial fires are defined as the burning of debris generated by machine for the purpose of land clearing. These permits can be obtained through the Cherokee County Fire Marshal’s office.

Permits are not required for yard debris fires or recreational fires. Yard debris fires include leaves, pine straw, and dry brush/limbs that are no more than 6 inches in diameter that have fallen from growth on one’s own property. A burn pile should be no more than 6 feet across and 2 feet high.

Recreational fires should only include logs or clean wood, and the fire area should be 3 feet or less across and 2 feet or less in height. Burning of household garbage, lumber, plastic, or waste material is prohibited. Burning in a barrel or metal drum is also prohibited.

If you live within a municipality of Cherokee County, check with your city to see what is required prior to outdoor burning.

To ensure conditions are suitable for burning, consult with the Georgia Forestry Commission by visiting GaTrees.org or calling 877-652-2876.

Plan your burn by remembering to “Take Five,” and follow the easy
to remember “S-S-T-A-R” formula:

S – Space: 25+ feet between fire and woodlands
S – Space: 50+ feet between fire and structures
T – Time: Sunrise to sunset
A – Attendance: Person responsible on site until the fireis extinguished
R – Reasonable Precautions: Tools/measures in place to prevent escaped fire, such as a continuous pressurized water source on site; a man-made or natural barrier to contain fire (bare soil, rocks, or bricks); hand tools or fire-containing equipment (rake, shovel, or garden hoe). Weather awareness of National Weather Service red flag warnings, such as high fire danger designation, low relative humidity, and high winds.

Learn more about outdoor burn regulations at CherokeeCountyFire.org. For additional questions or permit requests, contact the Cherokee County Fire Marshal’s Office at 678-493-6290.