Milton Sees Increase in Outdoor Fires

MILTON, GA -- Since the end of the state-issued burn ban on Oct. 1, the Milton Fire-Rescue Department has seen a tenfold increase in outdoor fire calls over the same period last year.

While there has been no structural loss due to outdoor fires and the acreage burned per incident remains relatively small, the continued dry weather still poses a threat to the community, the city said this week.

More than one-third -- 42.9 percent -- of the total brush-fire calls reported since Oct. 1 are direct violations of the Milton burn ban issued late last month.

Further analysis of the outdoor fire causes in Milton reveals that another third, or 33.3 percent, of the outdoor brush-fire calls were fires that quickly spread beyond a resident's control.

In some cases, a resident was managing a small recreational fire while others involved a resident burning yard debris in violation of the burn ban.

The remaining brush-fire calls have unidentified causes or causes that are under investigation, and may include fireworks and other "careless or unintentional acts such as improper disposal of cigarette butts," the city stipulates.

Milton's Fire Marshal Matt Marietta continues to urge citizens to be extra vigilant by minimizing possible brush fire causes, including careless use of fireworks, improperly discarded smoking materials and large or unattended outdoor recreational fires.

While firework use is legal according to state law, they cannot be used after 9:00 p.m. and should not be used in an unsafe manner including use that could light the very dry brush found throughout the city.

"Do not use them in or around brush, trees or leaves," Marietta said. "And remember, what goes up must come down."

Based on severe drought conditions, the city of Milton issued an indefinite burn-ban last month, prohibiting all yard waste and land-clearing burning in the city. Those violating the burn ban are at risk for receiving a citation.

If there is a safety concern regarding an active outdoor burn, illegal use of fireworks, or other possible fire-code violations, citizens should call 911 and a fire crew or police officer will respond.

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