Gwinnett County is under a total outdoor burn ban from May 1 to September 30. All types of outdoor/open burning are prohibited during this time period.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) imposes a ban on outdoor burning to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations. During the summer months in Georgia, the ozone in the air we breathe can reach unhealthy levels. The Georgia EPD has identified outdoor/open burning as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone. Consequently, open burning in metro Atlanta is restricted during the warm weather season. The safe use of barbeque grills for outdoor cooking is still allowed.

The following types of outdoor/open burning are banned:
• Burning of trees, limbs, or any other yard waste
• Burning over of forest or land by the owners of the land
• Burning of vegetative waste from land clearing (includes a ban on the use of air curtain destructors)

The following types of outdoor/open burning are still allowed, provided the proper permits are obtained:
• Fires for agricultural practices (must be zoned RA-200/residential agricultural) or a forestry prescribed burn.
• Fires for recreational purposes or for cooking food to include barbeques and campfires (in a designated campground area).
• Fires for the purpose of training firefighting personnel

For additional information about open burning, visit the Fire Marshal?s website at www.gwinnettfiremarshal.com or call the Office of the Fire Marshal at 678.518.6100.