It’s not likely you’ll be lighting up the fireplace anytime soon, but when the weather cools, wood burning fireplaces cause pollution issues in the valley.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency and studies targeting Maricopa County, burning wood in fireplaces is a significant contributor to breathing-related health issues.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved a program to begin retrofitting some wood burning fireplaces in parts of Phoenix and Glendale.
Heather Krause, with the county, said they’re currently taking eligible applicants. And they hope to start retrofitting the fireplaces and chimneys in November, just in time for colder weather.
“Our goal is to convert, if we can, a resident, at no cost to them, their fireplace to a gasoline or a gas log fireplace. And then, if they have a wood burning fireplace, we would convert that utilizing catalytic converter technology,” she said.
The program will be funded with money collected from fines.
The goal is to mitigate particulate matter emissions that can have a harmful impact on residents.
The boundaries of the program are Baseline Road on the south, 59th Avenue on the West, Northern Avenue on the north and 16th Street on the east.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ms. Krause's quote has been modified for clarity.
