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Outdoor burning ban extended indefinitely due to drought

The countywide outdoor burning ban, which was set to end Sept. 30, has been extended indefinitely due to the current level four drought conditions and total outdoor water ban.

One of the rules for open burning requires a garden hose be available and ready for use at every burn. However, the use of garden hoses is prohibited during periods of level four water restrictions.

Additionally, lack of rainfall and generally dry conditions have left much of the area prone to fires. A single spark into dry pine straw, grass or undergrowth can quickly become an uncontrolled fire leading to property damage and/or injury.

"The drought has contributed to daily ‘fire danger' ratings in the class four and five range for this area," Cobb County Fire Chief Rebecca Denlinger said.  "The highest rating is five, signifying the danger of fire and rates of growth and spread are greatly increased over the norm."

Limiting open burning also helps decrease pollutants and improves the air quality in Cobb County. The only exceptions to the open burning ban are recreational fires, bonfires with permit, cooking fires and fires in outdoor fireplaces, fire bowls or chimeneas.  Alternatives to burning debris include chipping, composting and taking debris to a commercial or municipal grinding/composting facility or landfill. For more information about the extended burning ban, visit fire.cobbcountyga.gov/marshal.htm or call 770-528-8000. For more information on the outdoor water ban, visit cobbwater.org.