Echols County commissioners approve temporary ban on outdoor burning amid drought
March 01, 2026 | Echols County, Georgia
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The Echols County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 12 to approve a temporary ordinance limiting outdoor burning in response to drought-related fire risk.
Resident Mike Williford spoke to the board about the imminent dangers of outdoor burning and urged commissioners to impose a temporary ban. Following that public comment, Chairman Justin Staten called for a motion to approve the ordinance. Commissioner Bobbi Pohlman-Rodgers moved to approve the ordinance; Commissioner Kenneth Petty seconded. The motion "carried unanimously," according to the meeting minutes.
The special meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. The minutes list attendees as Alan Levesque, Justin Staten, Tim Myers, Bobby Walker, Bobbi Pohlman-Rodgers, Kenneth Petty and Mike Williford. The minutes do not specify whether the ordinance takes effect immediately or include an explicit expiration date; those details are listed as not specified in the record.
After the ordinance vote, Chairman Staten requested a motion to adjourn at 6:22 PM. Commissioner Pohlman-Rodgers moved to adjourn and Commissioner Bobby Walker seconded; that motion also carried unanimously.
The minutes include an administrative notarization block naming Shona Gail Carter as Notary Public, with a commission expiration date recorded as Feb. 9, 2029.
No further discussion of enforcement provisions, penalties, or a specific effective or sunset date for the temporary burning restriction appears in the minutes.
Resident Mike Williford spoke to the board about the imminent dangers of outdoor burning and urged commissioners to impose a temporary ban. Following that public comment, Chairman Justin Staten called for a motion to approve the ordinance. Commissioner Bobbi Pohlman-Rodgers moved to approve the ordinance; Commissioner Kenneth Petty seconded. The motion "carried unanimously," according to the meeting minutes.
The special meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. The minutes list attendees as Alan Levesque, Justin Staten, Tim Myers, Bobby Walker, Bobbi Pohlman-Rodgers, Kenneth Petty and Mike Williford. The minutes do not specify whether the ordinance takes effect immediately or include an explicit expiration date; those details are listed as not specified in the record.
After the ordinance vote, Chairman Staten requested a motion to adjourn at 6:22 PM. Commissioner Pohlman-Rodgers moved to adjourn and Commissioner Bobby Walker seconded; that motion also carried unanimously.
The minutes include an administrative notarization block naming Shona Gail Carter as Notary Public, with a commission expiration date recorded as Feb. 9, 2029.
No further discussion of enforcement provisions, penalties, or a specific effective or sunset date for the temporary burning restriction appears in the minutes.
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