Burn ban in effect for Saturday – all outdoor fires must be out by sunset or face a fine

Polk County, Cedartown and Rockmart fire officials are worried that conditions tomorrow are just too good for causing serious damage by fire. Low humidity and high winds combining with cooler temps for March 28’s forecast means one thing: a burn ban is in effect.

Officials sent out a countywide text message this afternoon announcing the ban for the day on Saturday, noting that anyone caught burning outside under any circumstances on Saturday will face a $250 fine.

Georgia Forestry officials will also not be providing any burn permits over the weekend.

“All outdoor burning is strictly prohibited, without exception,” the message read. “All fires currently burning today must be extinguished by sunset today.”

Temps are set to drop overnight into the 40s, and only get into the 60s tomorrow with winds at 10 mph, and gusts up to 25 mph according to the National Weather Service’s forecast as of this posting.

A fire weather watch is in effect from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday.