The city of Suffolk is reminding residents that open-air burn bans are in effect through Sept. 30.

The restriction originally was put into place by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the City Council adopted it as a local ordinance in 2007 to help improve the Suffolk’s declining air quality and to reduce the number of emergency responses for refuse, grass, brush and woodland fires.

The ban includes all types of burning, from burning in a barrel to commercial land-clearing operations to special incineration devices.

Failure to comply with the burn ban can result in a fine of up to $2,500 and a year in jail, as well as a bill for extinguishing the fire.

Citizens can use Suffolk’s bulk pickup service to remove yard debris, or they can take the debris to the landfill for disposal.

For more information, call 514-7540.