Suffolk’s fire marshal has extended a ban on all open burning through Thursday. With rainfall predicted for Thursday evening, officials expected to reevaluate the situation on Friday.

This ban came after officials with the Virginia Department of Forestry raised the wildfire threat level to Class 4 (very high) for the eastern third of the state.

Above-average temperatures, low humidity and elevated winds already had left areas of the state ripe for wildfires during the past four weeks.

Under Class 4 conditions, fires start easily from all causes, including cigarettes tossed out of car windows, and spread rapidly and with great intensity. Fires that burn in light fuels, such as grass, pine needles, leaves and twigs, may quickly develop high-intensity characteristics, including long-distance spot fires and fire whirlwinds.

For more information on how to protect yourself and your property contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 514-7540.