The city’s annual open-air burn ban went into effect this week and will continue through Sept. 30.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality ordered the burn ban to improve the city’s declining air quality and reduce the number of responses for refuse, grass, brush and woodland fires. It includes all types of burning, from burning in a barrel to commercial land-clearing operations, and also prohibits the use of special incineration devices.

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

For more information, call 514-4550.