As a county-wide outdoor burning ban takes effect Sunday, May 1, residents are being advised on what steps to take before the burning period ends.

No burning permits will be issued between May 1 and Sept. 30. Outdoor burning permits can be obtained until Friday in unincorporated Fayette County for the following uses:

Reduction of leaves, clippings, brush and limbs on residential property;

Disposal of tree limbs from storm damage;

For weed abatement, disease and pest prevention;

For piles no greater than 15 feet wide, 10 feet long and 10 feet high or 1,500 cubic feet of material. No more than one pile is to be burning at a time.

All burning is to take place between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and all fires completely extinguished by sunset.

All burning is to be done at least 50 feet from any structure.

All burning is to be constantly attended until extinguished.

Fire extinguishing equipment such as a garden hose, shovel or rake should be readily available.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services retains the authority to extinguish any fires in the event that a complaint is received.

Contractors must obtain commercial burn permits, which are available at the department headquarters at 140 Stonewall Ave., Fayetteville. For questions regarding residential burning, phone 770-460-5730, ext. 5468. For commercial burning, call 770-460-5730, ext. 5172.

The department guidelines, which are modeled after state regulations, cover Tyrone, Brooks and Woolsey, in addition to unincorporated Fayette County. Representatives from the Fayetteville and Peachtree City fire departments confirmed Tuesday that their jurisdictions will follow the same guidelines.