Outdoor Burn Ban

Outdoor burning banned, May 1-Sept. 30

A state-mandated ban on all outdoor burning is in effect from May 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010 in many parts of Georgia, including  the City of Ball Ground.

In the hot months of summer, the ozone in the air can reach unhealthy levels. Outdoor burning is a significant contributor to pollutants in ground-level ozone. Nitrogen oxides combine with fumes from fuels, paints and vegetation to form ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone can cause inflammation to the lungs. Consequently, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division has restricted open burning in Metro Atlanta and large counties during the summer months. Besides the obvious effects of smoke on the human body such as watery eyes, smoke from fires contains chemicals and pollutants that negatively impact a person’s health.  Burning yard waste releases nitrogen oxides and particle pollution into the air. Both pollutants contribute to lung and heart disease. Particle pollution is made up of extremely small particles that can increase the risk of a heart attack.

Under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s Air Protection Branch, the Outdoor Burn Ban complies with Federal Clean Air Regulations. For more information about the 2010 outdoor burn ban, please visit the Georgia Forestry Commission’s Outdoor Burn Ban webpage.