Residents of Alpharetta and surrounding areas are being advised that they may smell or see smoke around the community over the next five to six weeks as contractors working for the Georgia Department of Transportation burn vegetative debris. The activity is related to the construction of a new interchange along Georgia 400 at McGinnis Ferry Road.
Typically, outdoor burning of debris is prohibited within the City of Alpharetta. Georgia law allows State agencies such as the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to engage in outdoor burning as part of its projects, however, and that law supersedes local ordinances. As a result, the City cannot prohibit the GDOT activity.
GDOT’s contractor will be closely monitoring the burn and will have precautions in place on site to keep all fires under control. Alpharetta, Milton, and Forsyth County fire departments have all been advised of the activity and will be ready to quickly respond to any threat.