Some residents in Polk County can burn with the ban temporarily suspended

After local officials met on Dec. 13 to discuss the burn ban, they decided it was safe enough for the moment to lift the ban according to a release from officials last week.

Commission chair Stefanie Drake Burford signed the order to temporarily suspend the burn ban on Dec. 14, and those who seek permits will be able to acquire them from the Polk County Fire Department or their city departments.

Rockmart officials said during their December council meeting they plan to only issue a small number at a time to decrease any likelihood of burning getting out of control and to keep smoke down.

"We're going to limit the number of permits that we issue to five per day," said Rockmart Fire Chief Todd Queen.

Permits in Rockmart will be good for only one day, and issued on a first come, first serve basis.

Burn permits will be issued by calling 770-6848266.

Only items by city ordinance that will be allowed to be burned will be limbs and leaves. No rubbish, construction debris or other materials will be allowed. Permits will begin issuing on Monday, Dec. 19. Polk County Public Safety Director Randy Lacey said officials will be keeping a close eye on the forecast and if a stretch of dry weather returns, the ban could be put back in place.

The order temporarily suspending the ban laid out the requirements for how the ban will be reinforced.

Specifically, dry and windy conditions where brush fires might break out, a red flag warning imposed by Georgia Forestry Commission, or if a Fire Danger Rating reaches or exceeds a rating of 3.5 or greater for two or more consecutive days.

Cedartown won’t be lifting the ban at all, looking to prevent any kind of possible fire problems by simply not issuing any burn permits at all despite the county’s temporary suspension, according to Public Information Officer Aimee Madden.