Burn Permits by Phone - 1-877-OK2-BURN (652-2876)

The Georgia Forestry Commission launched a new burn permit system in October 2005

giving homeowners an easy way to get approval for outdoor burning activities. By calling

1-877-OK2-BURN, toll-free, callers can automatically find out if conditions are appropriate

for burning natural debris outside city limits.

“The number one cause of wildfires in Georgia is debris burning,” said Alan Dozier, Chief

of Forest Protection with the Georgia Forestry Commission. “It’s a proven fact that when

people stop and take time to get a burn permit, the number of wildfires is drastically reduced.”

More than half of the 8,433 wildfires in Georgia last year were caused by debris burning,

affecting a total of 37,000 acres.

Dozier said “OK2 Burn” automated permits are valid only for the date issued and for burning

only natural debris in a fire measuring less than 6 feet by 6 feet. Permit numbers will not be

issued by this system. The caller’s zip code, telephone number and the calls’ date and time

stamp will now serve as burn permit verification for both GFC and the applicant.

The burning of paper, household trash, plastics, or other man-made materials is prohibited

and invalidates the permit. Fires are required to be extinguished by dusk and the permit holder

must take adequate precautions to prevent flames from escaping. The automated system applies

only to fires to be burned outside city limits. Citizens wanting to burn within city limits should call

their local fire department to ensure they are permitted by city regulations.

Landowners seeking permission to burn forest lands, agricultural space, or debris piles larger than

6 feet by 6 feet should continue to call their local county unit of the Georgia Forestry Commission.

An on-line burn permit system is also available at www.gatrees.org.