A burn ban goes into effect May 1 for 54 counties, including Hall, Banks, Dawson, Forsyth and Lumpkin.

The ban is an effort by the Environmental Protection Division to reduce pollutants that create ground-level ozone.

For more information on the ban, contact the EPD Northeast District Office at 706-369-6376 or Hall County Fire Services at 770-531-6838.

The ban ends Sept. 30.