RCFS informs residents on Fall burning regulations

With Fall’s official arrival over the past weekend, the Rabun County Fire Services want to remind you of a few things before you gear up for bonfire season.

First and foremost, Assistant Fire Chief Justin Upchurch said although there is nothing restrictive about bonfires in Clayton City’s Ordinance, the Georgia Forestry Commision is the main agency who regulates burn permits.

A permit is required for burning all natural vegetation that is hand piled, including leaf piles on the premises that they fall, existing small clearings to plant vegetable and flower gardens and vegetative debris disposal from storm damage.

So before piling leaves into your burn barrel, Upchurch said to make sure to monitor the weather.

“More often than not, the GFS will not issue burn permits if it is an overcast or rainy day due to the low bearing atmosphere which will cause smoke from fires to hang lower and become denser,” he said.

To acquire a burn permit, interested persons can visit the GFS here to apply for a one-day permit.