The wildfire in southeast Georgia and severe drought with its' grip on the state has forced officials to issue tighter outdoor burn restrictions.
The Georgia Forestry Commission will now deny most requests for burn permits. Alan Dozier is chief of fire protection with the Commission. He says that while a total ban is not in place, permits would be considered only on a special case-by-case basis. Exceptions might be made for a burn relating to a road contruction project, or an area that has received a recent, soaking rain.
GFC officials already have their hands full dealing with the massive wildfire in the Waycross-area, and need to devote most resources there.
Georgia already has annual burn restrictions that go into effect May 1st through September for most counties north and central. That is set to help reduce unhealthy ozone levels.
