Fairburn put the clamps down a little harder on outdoor burning Monday night, but wants residents to know they can still burn their leaves.

The new ordinance is aimed mainly at developers and builders in the city, and City Council members were quick to reassure residents they could still burn leaves without getting a permit.

Residents will still be able to carry out agricultural fires for the production or harvesting of crops and burn forest land without a permit.

But if a developer wants to clear land for a project, the permit process will kick in, said City Administrator Tony Cox. The applicant would complete the burning permit application issued by the city of Fairburn, and also would submit a plat or site plan showing the proposed location of the pit and information relating to the proximity of any occupied or unoccupied structure.

The ordinance also states that pit fires are the only type of fire permitted for the purpose of land clearing. No above ground fires are allowed in the city of Fairburn. All pit fires must be operated in strict accordance with the "Air Curtain Destructor Operating Guide and Procedures" published by the North Georgia Region Environmental Protection Division. Pit fires must comply with the following requirements:

The pit shall be at least 300 feet from any occupied or habitable structure or public road. Air curtain destructors used solely for utility line clearing or road clearing may be located at a lesser distance upon approval of the fire marshall.

Only wood wastes consisting of trees, logs, brush and stumps may be burned. Sawdust, other densely packed wood wastes, paper (any type), chemically treated, coated or impregnated wood, or non-wood construction materials cannot be burned. The amount of dirt on or in the material being burned shall be minimized.

Tires or other rubber products, plastics, heavy oils or asphaltic-based or impregnated materials shall not be used to start or maintain the operation of the air curtain destructor.

If a permit is needed, the applicant cannot burn on Saturdays, Sundays, nights or holidays.