Stephens Co. Commission Passes Burn Ban Resolution

Stephens County Commissioners institute a ban on outdoor burning in the county until further notice.

At a called meeting on Wednesday, the Stephens County Commission unanimously approved the burn ban resolution.

Reading the resolution aloud, Stephens County Commission Chairman Dennis Bell said that the ban applies to all outdoor burning.

“This ban applies to all outdoor open flames of any kind, including but not limited to warming fires, campfires, fire pits, cooking fires, chimineas, burning barrel fires, fire rings, and fireworks,” said Bell.

The first offense results in a $100 fine, the second offense is a $300 fine, and the third offense will result in a $500 fine.

The resolution stated that the ban will remain in effect until further notice as Stephens County remains in a state of extreme drought due to the lack of rainfall.

That drought has resulted in dry, dangerous conditions outside.

Bell said they are asking for the public’s cooperation in trying to keep any fires from starting.

“As you know, we have a lot of wildfires in our area,” said Bell. “We want to put something in effect that will maybe slow some of this stuff down. We are asking everyone out there to use common sense.”

He reminded people to be careful with cigarette butts as well, which can start fires.

County officials said that anyone who sees someone burning outdoors should call 911.

In the city of Toccoa, City Manager Billy Morse noted that a Georgia Forestry Commission burn permit is required to legally burn outdoors and the Forestry Commission is not currently granting any burn permits.

Morse also said that anyone caught burning outdoors without a permit in the city would be found in violation of the city’s nuisance ordinance, which covers such situations.

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal had also already banned the use of fireworks in the county when he issued a drought declaration for Stephens County and much of north Georgia earlier this month.

Also, a burn ban was also already in place for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.

All of this comes as Stephens County helps in the fight against wildfires in north Georgia.

Last weekend, volunteers from Stephens County fire departments went to Rabun County to help fight the fires there.

Also, county officials noted Wednesday that helicopters being used to fight the fires had been using the Toccoa-Stephens County Airport as a staging area.