The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality announced a high pollution advisory this weekend, and as a result Maricopa County Air Quality Department issued a ban on burning wood in the metro area Sunday.
The restrictions included a ban on burning wood in fireplaces, as well as outdoors.
No-burn restrictions are ordered when stagnant air and winter inversions trap pollution close to the ground. Smoke and soot from wood-burning pose risks to people with asthma and other respiratory ailments.
ADEQ's announcement said that winds projected for Monday "will help limit particulate accumulation" bringing it down to safer levels.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been modified to reflect that Maricopa County Air Quality Department is the entity that issues bans.