Outdoor Burning Standards

Outdoor burning standards are established by the state of Georgia based on environmental and safety factors.

Tools needed for a safe burn include:

• A rake to create a debris-free ring around the fire area
• A charged water hose at the fire
• A shovel
• Proper clothing (long pants, long sleeves, boots, gloves) and safety glasses

The following regulations apply to outdoor burning:

• Clear 25 feet or more area around debris pile.
• Never use flammable liquids to start fire.
• Never leave the fire unattended.
• Ensure fire is completely extinguished and pile is cool to the touch when the burn is done.
• Cooking fires: Open burning in a reasonable fashion for the purpose of cooking food for immediate human consumption is allowed.
• Recreational fires (campfires, outdoor fireplaces): Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure (house, outbuilding, fence, public utility, etc.) or combustible material.
• Open burning: The location for open burning shall be more than 50 feet from any structure (house, outbuilding, fence, public utility, etc.).
• Burning under hazardous conditions: The fire marshal may prohibit any open burning when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such burning hazardous. Fire crews are designated to stop burns that are deemed unsafe by the company officer.
• Remember, smoke and heat from fire rises, so lower-hanging branches and leaves can be considered combustible material and could pose a fire risk as well. Care should be taken to ensure that the flames and heat do not get high enough to damage overhead foliage.
• Land clearing is not included in these regulations and contractors/landowners should contact the Fire Marshal regarding appropriate burning guidelines for large amounts of debris. For the special requirements for land clearing, please refer to the state air quality web site.

Milton's Fire-Rescue Department reserves the right to extinguish any fire that is creating a safety hazard.

Smoke Management 

No smoke the opacity of which is equal to or greater than 40 percent shall be emitted from any source of open burning which adversely affects public health, safety, or welfare.

Tips for smoke management when open burning:

• Burn smaller piles - they produce less smoke
• Burn dry piles - wet piles produce more smoke
• Burn on clear days - smoke stagnates on cloudy, overcast days
• Burn with a little wind - this helps disperse smoke
• Avoid dirt in your piles - dirt holds moisture which produces smoke
• Avoid early-morning and night burning - smoke lingers during these times
• Be a good neighbor - inform your neighbors of burn plans and if smoke becomes a problem, put your fire out

Seasonal Burn Ban

The State's Environmental Protection Division issues a seasonal prohibition on open burning to help curb fires fueled by dry conditions and improve overall air quality. The ban covers 54 Georgia counties -- including Fulton County, which includes Milton -- and runs from May 1 through September 30.

Specific to Milton, burning in non-agricultural areas -- in other words, plots that aren't agriculturally zoned -- is always prohibited. So is burning treated wood, garbage, construction debris, and other non-vegetative items. The only exceptions are small fires for the immediate consumption of food and small campfires. This is true year-round.

In agricultural areas (i.e. zoned AG1), when the "burn ban" is in effect: