Burn Ban Continues in County

A mandated ban on outdoor burning continues in the county.

Issued by the Georgia Forestry Commission, the burn ban was issued as a result of a pronounced drought impacting much of the state. Unless listed sooner, the ban expires May 22.

The ban impacts all of southern Georgia and much of central Georgia. In the local area the ban includes Harris and Talbot counties, but not Troup and Meriwether. Troup County officials have implemented a local outdoor burn ban.

Parts of west central and east central Georgia are in the midst of an “extreme drought” condition while portions of southwest and south-central Georgia are classified as being in an “exceptional drought” status.

Overall, Harris County residents have been cooperative regarding the burn ban with few instances reported last weekend. But as of Monday there were three wildfires burning in the state with all three in southeast Georgia.

As of Monday, the Hwy. 82 fire in Brantley County had involved nearly 21,000 acres, the Pineland Road fire in Clinch County had involved over 32,000 acres, and the Sargent fire in Baker County had involved over 2,500 acres.