Charges have been filed against a Gwinnett County homeowner who violated outdoor burn rules, and a fire in an outdoor burn pile on his property sparked a woods fire in unincorporated Hoschton.
Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said his crews were called to the scene on Holman Road near Braselton Highway at 2:19 p.m. Wednesday.
"Flames burned close to the roadway and prompted police to temporarily close the northbound lane of Braselton Highway. Additional fire units and the Georgia Forestry Commission were requested," Rutledge wrote in a press release.
He said the fire damaged an outbuilding and a fence on the property and then spread to an adjoining property before it was fully extinguished. He estimated it encompassed about three acres before it was completely doused.
Since a burn ban is currently in place because of the extremely dry conditions in the area, the Georgia Forestry Commission cited the property owner. That person's name was not released.