Fayette County is temporarily discontinuing the issuance of outdoor burning permits in light of the severe drought and the additional leaves that add to fire hazards, among other problems.

Tyrone, Brooks and Woolsey are also affected by the ban along with unincorporated Fayette County residents, as they are directly served by the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

There are alternative methods of disposing of vegetative debris such as composting and mulching, officials said. Also, the Fayette County Transfer Station on First Manassas Mile Road allows homeowners to drop off their yard debris, which is ground into mulch that’s recycled and given free to the community, noted Deputy Fire Chief Tom Bartlett.

By hopefully not responding to debris fires that get out of control, the county is hoping to conserve water, officials said.

The ban was lifted Oct. 1 to allow residents to burn accumulated vegetative debris; that ban is in place over the summer months to protect air quality in the metro Atlanta region.

Homeowners interested in composting can get tips from the Fayette County Extension Office by calling 770-460-5730, ext. 5412.

Residents can watch the county's web site to find out when it will be okay to seek burn permits again, said Interim Director of Public Safety Allen McCullough.

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