FORSYTH COUNTY — Residents with leaves or brush they want to burn have until Friday to do so as Forsyth is one of 54 counties that falls under Georgia’s burn ban, which runs May 1-Oct. 1.

“The burn ban is a state mandated ban,” said Forsyth County Fire Department Division Chief Jason Shivers. “It’s not up to our local jurisdiction to choose the dates that it is enacted.

“Forsyth County is included in the metro Atlanta region that falls into this ban based on geography.”

The state has issued the ban each spring and summer since 2005.

“The concept of the ban is really not primarily for fire protection as much as it is for air quality,” Shivers said.

“It’s actually an air quality burn ban, and a side benefit is the protection from fire spread in what is typically a very hot and very dry season for Georgia each year.”

The county Fire Marshal’s Office has the ability to fine those who violate the ban, but Shivers said the county rarely does so as most people burning during the ban are unaware of it.

“On almost every occasion, it is simply either a misunderstanding or someone not being aware of the dates,” he said.