Governor Lifts Georgia Ban on Fireworks

ATLANTA, GA — Just in time for New Year's Eve planning, Georgia's governor has lifted a month-old ban on using fireworks in much of the state.

On Tuesday, Gov. Nathan Deal issued an executive order waiving the ban, which went into effect on November 14 because of extreme drought conditions in north Georgia.

Since then, Deal said in Tuesday's order, "much of the state has received rainfall amounts sufficient for the State Forestry Commission and Georgia Department of Natural Resources to lift their bans on outdoor campfires."

He also noted that the state's Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner has deemed recent rainfall to be enough and "requested the prohibition against the ignition of consumer fireworks be lifted."

The November 14 ban included 110 Georgia counties, including all of metro Atlanta.

It noted six months of drought that had dried up much of north and central Georgia and came as a series of wildfires was already roaring through north Georgia.

State officials are still urging residents to use extreme care with all outdoor burning and fireworks, noting that while recent rainfall has helped, much of the state remains in drought conditions.

The National Weather Service forecasts another chance for rain in the Atlanta area on Saturday, and again on Monday and Tuesday.

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