Ranger: Landowners need permits to burn

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January 28, 2006

John Oxford

MOULTRIE — Anyone wishing to have a controlled burn on their property must first get a burn permit from the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Chief Ranger Denny Sellers said anyone wanting to hold a controlled burn needs to call the Forestry Commission at 891-7120 when conditions are good for a burn. The resident must have firebreaks already in place and adequate manpower to watch the fire lines.

After meeting those requirements, Sellers said the Forestry Commission will issue a permit and give the resident the forecast for the day. There is no cost to get a permit, but the permit will be valid only on the day it is issued from the commission.

The resident must also provide the Forestry Commission with their name, the location of the controlled burn, their phone number and what they plan to burn, Sellers said. The resident must also be sure to provide the acreage if the burn will take place over several acres of land.

Sellers said there is a penalty if someone holds a controlled burn without a permit. The person who set the fire will be held liable for any property damaged by the fire, and they will also have to reimburse the Forestry Commission the cost to put out the fire, including manpower.

For anyone planning to burn a pile of material 6-feet by 6-feet in size or smaller and outside city limits can call 1-877-OK-2-BURN (1-877-652-2876) to obtain a permit, Sellers said. Permits will be issued between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day and will be valid the day they are issued.