Severe drought conditions have forced state forestry officials to extend a burn ban throughout northwest Georgia, just as the fall leaf-burning season begins.
The summer restrictions on burning were lifted for much of Georgia. However, for 15 northwest counties, officials had no choice but to turn restrictions into a total ban--no burning of any kind, no exceptions.
Mike Brunson is chief ranger for the Georgia Forestry’s Floyd County unit. He says the lack of rain is the worst he’s seen in his 24-year career.
"It’s going to have to be some kind of major cold front that comes through and covers a large area. Or, what sometimes happens this time of year...we get the leftovers of a hurricane that drops a significant amount of rainfall".
Some counties in northwest Georgia have significant rainfall deficits. Floyd for one, is more than 25 inches below normal for this time of year.
Officials will revisit the indefinite ban with the next big rainfall.
The summer restrictions on burning were lifted for much of Georgia. However, for 15 northwest counties, officials had no choice but to turn restrictions into a total ban--no burning of any kind, no exceptions.
Mike Brunson is chief ranger for the Georgia Forestry’s Floyd County unit. He says the lack of rain is the worst he’s seen in his 24-year career.
"It’s going to have to be some kind of major cold front that comes through and covers a large area. Or, what sometimes happens this time of year...we get the leftovers of a hurricane that drops a significant amount of rainfall".
Some counties in northwest Georgia have significant rainfall deficits. Floyd for one, is more than 25 inches below normal for this time of year.
Officials will revisit the indefinite ban with the next big rainfall.
