The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has agreed to temporarily modify the seasonal burn ban for Catoosa, Chattooga, Gordon and Walker counties after deadly tornadoes and heavy rainfall have affected the area in the last two weeks.
Outdoor open burning will now be allowed up to May 31. The original cutoff date was May 1.
Local municipalities, elected officials and residents reached out to the state's EPD about extending the deadline as communities continue to clear debris from a number of storms that came through in April.
Burning of trees, brush and stumps will now be allowed through May 31, but open burning still requires a permit from the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Permits for hand-piled, natural vegetation collected on site can be obtained online at GaTrees.org or by calling 1-877-OK2-BURN.
Burning of vegetative debris should be conducted between 10 a.m. and one hour before dark.
Had the extension not been granted, the seasonal burn ban would have taken effect on May 1 and run through Sept. 30. Due to the extension, the burn ban will now begin on June 1.
Three other counties that received an extension were Banks, Floyd and Upson counties.
Contact Patrick Filbin at pfilbin@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickFilbin.