Fire Department
In The Case of Emergency call 911
The mission of Helen Fire Rescue is to save lives and protect property for the citizens and visitors of Helen and its surrounding communities through education, training, community support and customer service.
Outdoor Burning in the City of Helen
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The City of Helen does not issue local burn permits and does not maintain a municipal fire code for outdoor burning. All outdoor burning within the city limits must follow the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) rules and restrictions.
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To obtain a same‑day burn permit, visit the Georgia Forestry Commission’s online system (available 6:00 AM–7:00 PM):
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GFC Burn Permit Portal – gatrees.org/burn
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Permit availability is determined by the GFC based on county‑level conditions. If burning is restricted, the system will notify you and no permit will be issued.
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Hand‑piled natural vegetation no longer requires a permit, but all safety guidelines must still be followed
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For silviculture burns, a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager number is required. If you do not have one, call 1‑800‑GA‑TREES for assistance
GFC Launches Online Burn Permit System | Georgia Forestry Commission
Safety Tips for Burning Yard Debris