A countywide ban on outdoor burning has been extended another week.
The burn ban was first issued for Nov. 6-Nov. 20. It will now remain in effect till Nov. 27, at which time it could possibly be extended again if dry conditions don’t improve.
“We’re supposed to be getting a lot of rain this week, so we’ll have to see,” said Jason Bryant, Gilmer County deputy fire chief. “We’re still working closely with Georgia Forestry and following their guidelines about outdoor burning.”
The emergency outdoor ban issued by Gilmer Fire and Rescue in conjunction with the Georgia Forestry Commission, Ellijay Fire Department and East Ellijay Public Safety is for residential and commercial outdoor burning. It includes, but is not limited to campfires, debris removal, barrel burning, leaf clearing, land clearing, cooking and recreational warming fires.
The ban was issued after Gilmer County experienced multiple wildfires and brush fires as summer turned into fall.
Bryant said the fire department has seen a decrease in the number of brush fires since the ban was put in place, although there have still been several of them due to people continuing to burn.
“We’ve also had an increase in call volume due to the community calling about people illegally burning (during) the burn ban,” he added.