Residents in Peachtree City and Tyrone must acquire a burn permit before they are allowed to conduct any outdoor burning, even though the summertime burning ban has been lifted.
In Peachtree City, residents can go online to fill out and print a burn permit, which will be available as long as the weather conditions are ok for burning, said Fire Marshal David Williamson. Those without a computer may visit station 82 at 101 north Peachtree Parkway across from the Peachtree Crossing shopping center to fill out a permit.
If a burn pile produces smoke and complaints are lodged, and the fire is determined to be a nuisance, firefighters are authorized to extinguish any outdoor burning, Williamson said. But there are ways to keep the smoke to a minimum, he added.
“The secret to successful burning is to keep the piles small, feed debris into the fire gradually and that will help keep the smoke down,” Williamson said. “The goal is to have a clean burning fire with little or no smoke. That will keep everyone burning.”
Raking a pile of leaves onto the fire should be avoided because that too will create unwanted smoke, Williamson said.
Only outdoor natural debris may be burned, Williamson said. That means no construction materials such as lumber, pressure treated wood and shingles, and also no tires or garbage, he said.
For safety, outdoor burning piles must be at least 50 feet from the house, and the homeowner must have a means of extinguishment such as a garden hose on hand. The person in charge of the fire must have it tended at all times and it must be extinguished before dusk, Williamson added.
The online burn permit form is available at www.peachtree-city.org. Follow the links to “city departments” then “fire and EMS” then “burning permit.”
Residents in Tyrone must follow Fayette County’s outdoor burning restrictions because the town is served by the Fayette County Fire Department.
County regulations allow for residential burning of leaves, yard clippings and brush limbs.
The department has also established several restrictions on the burning as follows:
• The burning pile size shall be no larger than 10 feet wide, 10 feet long and 10 feet high;
• The burning pile shall not exceed 1,000 cubic feet of material;
• No more than one pile shall be burning at a time;
• All burning shall be at least 50 feet away from any structure;
• All burning shall be constantly attended until extinguished; and
• A garden hose, shovel and rake shall be readily available.
Officials are also urging citizens to avoid using gasoline to start burn piles and to keep a phone nearby in case of emergency. Fire officials can extinguish any fire if a complaint or complaints are received.
Contractors who are doing commercial burning must obtain a commercial burn permit.
To receive a residential burn permit for Tyrone, call 770-305-5468. For a commercial burn permit, call 770-305-5414. For more information visit www.fayettecountyga.gov.
The annual outdoor burning ban lasts through spring and summer to help improve air quality in the metro Atlanta area.
