If camping and hiking are your activities of choice for this Fourth of July holiday weekend, officials with the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests have some safety reminders for you as you head to the woods.
Mike Davis, Fire Manager for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, said in an interview with AccessWDUN that visitors need especially to keep in mind that even though Georgia laws about fireworks use have changed recently, they're still prohibited on national forest lands.
He said the restriction remains in place year-round, even on holidays where fireworks are a customary part of the celebration.
"Regulations are enforced," Davis said. "Violation is punishable as a misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both."
Davis said he's anticipating the campgrounds will be busy during the four-day weekend, so he's reminding campers to remember the rules about campfires.
"Fire conditions are much improved as we've come out of the drought in most areas since last fall and over the spring, but we ask that folks never leave a campfire until it's completely extinguished and cold to the touch," said Davis.
Davis said, too, it's a good idea to visit the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests website at www.fs.usda.gov/conf before visiting. He said there are notices posted there about road closures or hazards or weather issues,
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests cover nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties in North Georgia.
