GFC Welcomes New Director
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Johnny Sabo has been appointed Director/State Forester of the Georgia Forestry Commission(GFC). Sabo came to the GFC as Deputy Director in April 2023. He replaces Tim Lowrimore, who has been named President and CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association.
The summer ban on outdoor burning in 54 northern Georgia counties was lifted on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The annual restrictions are imposed by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division from May 1 through the end of September to protect air quality from emissions that may increase ground level ozone during the hot summer months. Pending any local ordinances, outdoor burning of yard debris, leaves, and natural, hand-piled vegetation is again allowed until next summer.
The 54 counties whose burn bans were lifted on October 1 are: Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Coweta, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Gordon, Gwinnett, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Richmond, Rockdale, Spalding, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walker, and Walton.
Fall foliage season is beginning, and GFC foresters have the inside scoop on viewing the best color in north Georgia. Leaf Watch reports begin September 26 and run until early November at GaTrees.org and on Atlanta area media.
