City of Lavonia Looking into Burning Issue

The City of Lavonia is looking at a burning issue.

At their meeting Monday night, City Manager Charles Cawthon said he recently received a letter from a concerned citizen asking what the rules are for burning debris inside the City limits.

The question of burning inside the city limits was discussed at the City Council’s last work session and Cawthon was asked to research what the State requires.

In 2021, the City of Lavonia adopted new Georgia Forestry guidelines for outdoor burning.

Monday, Cawthon told the Council that while the City follows state guidelines, there is no formal ordinance in place.

He said he has asked Rusty Carroll, a representative from the Georgia Forestry Commission, to come and speak to them at this month’s work session.

Cawthon said in the past, burn permits were issued by the Lavonia Fire Department or by himself.

He said either he or the fire chief would physically go out to a site to determine whether a person could burn debris, depending on whether it coincided with State regulations.

In 2021, the Georgia Forestry Commission issued five changes for burning yard debris.

There must be at least 25 feet between the fire and woodlands, and at least 50 feet from structures; debris burning can only take place from sunrise to sunset; there must be a person on site responsible for the burn until the fire is extinguished, and reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent escaped fire.

To prevent injury and damage, state law requires residents to obtain a burn permit before burning outdoors. Illegal burning without a permit is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and a year imprisonment.

After hearing from the City Manager, the Council and Mayor agreed to hear from Rusty Carroll at their work session on April 23.