Burn material guide
What Can I Burn in Georgia?
What you can burn in Georgia depends on the material, season, county, weather, and local rules. Start with the county burn status, then verify the burn type with GFC and local fire officials.
Yard Debris and Brush
Yard debris and brush are common household burn questions. In EPD summer burn ban counties, open burning of yard and land-clearing debris is restricted from May 1 through September 30. Outside that window, GFC permit or notification rules and local fire conditions can still apply.
Wood Chippers: An Alternative to Burning Yard Debris
When open burning of yard and land-clearing debris is restricted, a wood chipper or shredder turns branches and brush into mulch instead of ash -- no burn-day check or permit needed for most residential yard cleanup, and the mulch can go right back into garden beds or compost.
If a chipper is more than you need, bagging debris for county yard-waste pickup is a lighter-weight option that also avoids open burning entirely.
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Contained Fire Pit Options During a Burn Ban
A county-wide burn ban or EPD summer rule typically restricts open burning of yard and land-clearing debris. A fully enclosed fire pit with a spark screen is often treated differently from open burning, but rules vary by county and city ordinance, so verify with your local fire authority before using one during an active ban.
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Campfires, Agriculture, Prescribed Fire, and Land Clearing
Campfires, agricultural burning, prescribed fire, storm debris, and land-clearing burns can follow different rules. Do not assume one county status label covers every activity. Check the specific burn type with official GFC guidance and your local fire authority.
Materials That Need Extra Verification
Trash, construction debris, treated wood, plastics, tires, and other non-natural materials can trigger separate air-quality or public-safety rules. When the material is not clean natural vegetation, verify with official sources before burning.
County Status Checks
Use county pages to connect burn-material questions to local permit and fire-risk context.
Sources Checked
Official source list checked: August 13, 2026.