The ban preventing state and local residents from burning vegetation expired on Wednesday; however, dry conditions have led the Georgia Forestry Commission to caution would-be burners as there is an increased risk of wild fires.

Between April 30 and Sept. 30, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division issued a burn ban preventing residents from burning vegetation on their property. Now that the ban has expired, residents are free to burn, but they must first obtain a burning permit from the Georgia Forestry Commission.

“If somebody is going to be burning something no larger than a 6 [foot] by 6 [foot] pile, they can call 1-877-OK-2-BURN (1-877-652-2876),” said Jeff Davis, the chief ranger of Carroll, Douglas and Haralson Counties. “That’s for leaf piles or small piles in the yard that are no larger than 6 by 6.”

When a resident calls the hotline, they are advised as to whether local weather conditions allow for burning fires. Upon placing the call, the resident’s zip code, telephone number, the date of the call and a time stamp serve as a burn permit. Permits can also be obtained by calling the Haralson County Georgia Forestry Commission Office at 770-646-5501 or through the commission’s Web site: www.gatrees.org.

“When they call us, they need to ask about the weather, which way the wind is blowing, humidity and if it’s a good day to burn at all,” said Davis. “If we’ve got any special precautions, we’ll advise folks of those.”

Haralson County residents who plan on burning forest land, agricultural land or vegetation piles larger than 6 feet by 6 feet must call the Haralson Georgia Forestry Commission Office to obtain a special permit.

In Carroll County the population density prohibits the burning of piles larger than 6 feet by 6 feet, but burning of forest and agricultural land is still permitted with appropriate permits.

Local residents who live within a city must contact the city’s fire department before to obtain permission to burn.

“If you live in city limits, you have to call your city fire department because city ordinances supersede state regulations,” said Davis. “[City regulations] can be more stringent, but they can’t be less stringent.”

After obtaining a permit and contacting the necessary authorities, to prepare for burning a pile smaller than 6 feet by 6 feet, residents should clean out the area around the fire down to the bare mineral soil and keep a garden hose or bucket of water ready in case the fire escapes the burning area.

State laws restrict what can be burned. Paper, household trash, plastic and any other man-made materials are prohibited and voids an existing burn permit.

“The only thing you can burn under state law is herbaceous vegetation, limbs, leaves, anything that grows,” said Davis. “Basically what we go by, if it’s been manufactured in any sort of way or if it’s had a saw through it, we won’t let you burn it.”

Legal burning hours are from 10 a.m. until an hour before sunset. If a fire should get out of control, residents should call 911.

“They can call 911, that will get the quickest response,” said Davis. “But if it spreads to the woods or a rural area, they can call us.”

According to Davis, in past years the Haralson Georgia Forest Commission Office has given out numerous permits in addition to doing controlled burns for local residents. Currently, the commission is warning local residents about burning due to weather conditions.

“We are cautioning folks in the next few days about burning,” said Davis. “We’re experiencing really dry conditions right now, and there is a dry front coming in. We’re going to be experiencing stronger winds with lower humidity, and there is a pretty good chance of wildfires.”

According to Davis, by noon on Tuesday local rangers had already responded to two wild fires.

More information about burning restrictions and permits can be found at the commission’s Web site, www.gatrees.org, or by calling the local office at 770-646-5501.