Burning banned again
By RICHARD SCOTT Wolfcreek Broadcasting

With the continuing high temperatures and drought conditions, the Georgia Forestry Commission is again imposing restrictions on outdoor burning.

While stopping short of imposing a total burn ban, the Forestry Commission has halted the issuance of outdoor burning permits in Towns, Union, Fannin and Gilmer Counties, effective immediately. Yearly burn permits are also being rescinded until further notice.

Chief Ranger Tony Harkins at the Georgia Forestry Commission Office in Blairsville says the area will need to receive as least an inch of rain before burn permits will be issued again. According to Harkins, the forestry commission is short staffed at the moment, having sent workers to battle forest fires in other parts of the country. As a result it could have a tough time dealing with any serious wildfire outbreak.

The North Georgia Mountains had been under a total burn ban earlier this summer, but that order was lifted after some significant rainfall in late June. While burn permits aren't being issued, campfires, cooking fires and small recreational bonfires are still permitted in the region. But the Georgia Forestry Commission urges extra caution with campfires, because of the current extreme fire danger.