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spigi

Backyard fires in Clarke County

20 years ago

I have a reasonably large pile of dead vegetation in my backyard, most of which was present when I moved in and is just waiting to be reduced to a pile of ashes. I read on the Athens-Clarke county website that backyard bonfires are prohibited. Does this ban last all year and does it apply to all areas of Clarke county (we are fairly far out in the boonies).

If there really is a ban on having backyard fires, what do people recommend as a way to dispose of cuttings, weeds, dead branches, etc?

Thanks,

Spigi

Comments (7)

  • 20 years ago

    In Cherokee county the ban is seasonal (starts May 1, not sure when it ends). If you call a fire station, they should be able to tell you.

  • 20 years ago

    In order to improve air quality during the Summer months, the GA Dept. of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Divn. has decreeed an annual outdoor burn ban for 54 counties in North GA, from May 1 through Sept. 30. Clarke Co. is included in the list. Outside of those dates, it is a good idea to obtain a burn permit from the GA Forestry Commission. This can be obtained online at:
    http://www.gfc.states.ga.us/OnlinePermits/index.cfm

    Why not use that natural material for compost? I have two large piles that I maintain, out of sight, behind evergreen shrubs. Everything from the yard goes into them, except very large limbs, which I trim and use to line the paths. They also decompose in a few years and make way for fresh material.
    Rb

  • 20 years ago

    There is a landfill about 20 mins from you to the west (guess). Only problem is they don't accept vegetation stuff. There is another landfill near it that does. I unfortunately don't know the names of either land fill but your solid waste authority should be able to tell you where to dump it.

    As for burning. One time they were burning trash next door it got way out of hand. This was in Fulton county so naturally the fire department never showed up and it got very close to spreading and becoming very dangerous. No matter how good you think you are at burning stuff, please take it to the dump.

  • 20 years ago

    I thought about composting it, but I think it would probably take years to decompose. There really is too much to take to the landfill. There isn't much flammable around the pile and I am not worried about the fire spreading, I just don't want to fall afoul of the law.

  • 20 years ago

    Call your SWA and ask if they have trucks that can come by to pick it up. They don't here but that doesn't mean clarke county is also without this basic service.

  • 20 years ago

    I'll bet that ban is in place to keep students from having bonfires at house parties. Just a guess. We burned a huge (10 ft. tall, 20 ft. around) pile of brush at a rental house I was living in near the Clarke county line a few years ago with no problems. You can always put it at the curb and wait for the county to pick it up.

    Not to encourage rule breaking, but if it were me, I would wait for a non windy day after a good rain and then torch it. Since you are out in the boonies you shouldn't have any trouble. As long as you are burning responsibly (hose nearby, rakes, shovels, actively watching it, etc) I wouldn't expect more than a warning, at the most, if the law shows up. Honestly, I would hope that they have better things to do.

    Or you can get a barrel and burn it a little bit at a time.

  • 19 years ago

    You cannot burn in Athens Ga. Please do not it is for safety and health reasons. If any questions please call 706 613 3360

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