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The city of Viroqua will be picking up burn barrels from residences during the last week in July.

Residents are asked to take their burn barrels to the curb on their regular garbage day, July 26-29. The city will pick up the burn barrels at no charge and they will be taken to the county recycling center.

The city of Viroqua banned the use of burn barrels at a meeting last month after suffering through years of complaints from local residents that use of the barrels created a nuisance and smelled-up neighborhoods.

"This should definitely bring to an end the debate over burn barrels," Viroqua's Director of Public Works Tom Henry said. "The police department had constantly handled complaints about the burn barrels. A lot of people didn't like that smell in their neighborhood. Even if they burned only paper there was still problem in some cases."

Residents who are unable to move their burn barrels should call the city office for help, Henry said. Also, although the city is hoping most people put their barrels out during the appointed pick-up time, Henry said the city will accept calls from people who need a later pickup. The city's public works committee discussed the matter last week. Alderman Gail Frie, who sits on the public works committee and also manages the county's recycling department, said the landfill would accept the barrels, which paved the way for the disposal plan.

Matt Johnson contributed to this story.