Georgia lifts its burn ban on October 1, 2021, and the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department wants you to know how to safely burn items and how to properly get a permit. They had a press conference on Thursday, September 30 to discuss the changes, and that can be watched here.

In accordance with the State Fire Prevention Code, The Macon-Bibb County Fire Department requires a burning permit be requested prior to burning. Burn permits are required for natural vegetative materials such as leaves, small limbs, pinecones, and pine straw. It is unlawful to burn man made material such as tire, shingles, paper, plastics, lumber, or household garbage.

Burn permits are good only for the day they are issued, but no burning is allowed on Sunday. No burning is allowed on windy days (10 mph or higher) or on days when the atmospheric conditions (cloudy, overcast, or raining) would cause the smoke to remain low to the ground.

A water hose that can reach the burn site must be available for wetting down area. All burn sites must be at least 25 feet from all buildings on property, and all piles must be no higher than four feet in height and diameter. Fires should not initiate before 8:00 a.m. and should be completely extinguished before dark.

To obtain a burn permit, contact The Macon-Bibb County Fire Prevention office at 478-751-2700, Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 2:00pm.