Burn ban begins May 1

Georgia’s outdoor burn ban goes into effect May 1. Residents who plan to burn hand-piled brush must go to www.gatrees.org or call 1-877-OK2-BURN to obtain a burn permit. Burning conditions and fire weather forecasts are available on the gatrees.org website.’When burning, people need to remember to never leave the fire unattended,’ said ranger Jeff Kenerly of the Georgia Forestry Commission. ‘One of the requirements to burn is to have a means of controlling the fire, whether that be a shovel, a rake or a water hose, that’s part of the landowner or person burning’s responsibility.’ Kenerly said burning conditions are good, but it is always possible for a fire to get out of hand.