Middle Georgia burn restrictions now in effect for summer season

Burning yard debris is prohibited in Bibb, Houston, and other counties through September 30 due to air quality protection.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Middle Georgia summer burn restrictions 2025 are now active through September 30, affecting dozens of counties in the region.

From May 1 through the end of September, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) prohibits residents in both Middle and North Georgia from burning yard waste and land-clearing debris. The seasonal restriction aims to reduce ground-level ozone, especially in urban areas vulnerable to air pollution from smoke.

Several Middle Georgia counties are directly impacted by the 2025 restrictions, including Bibb, Houston, Crawford, Peach, Jones, Twiggs, Monroe, Lamar, and Putnam, along with dozens more in surrounding regions.

What counties are affected by the burn restrictions?

These areas are joined by dozens more in North Georgia as part of the 54-county enforcement zone: Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Coweta, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Gordon, Gwinnett, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Richmond, Rockdale, Spalding, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walker, and Walton.

The goal of the restrictions is to prevent excess smoke from increasing ground-level ozone pollution in urban areas. This is especially important in cities where air quality can decline during the summer.

Outside of those counties, burning is still permitted when conditions are suitable, but landowners must adhere to Georgia’s fire safety laws, which mandate:

• Burning only between sunrise and sunset

• Keeping a safe distance from woodlands and structures

• Remaining present at the fire

• Using suppression tools and monitoring weather conditions

“The number of wildfires in Georgia has been elevated this spring,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo. “As summer outdoor recreation season begins, all Georgians can play a role in lowering the risk of wildfire by paying close attention to weather conditions and safety precautions.”

For more details on burn permits and the services of the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit GaTrees.org.