Maricopa County officials want to remind residents to do their part to keep our air clean during this holiday season.
This time of year, the Phoenix area tends to see an increase in harmful air pollution. Ari Halpert, a spokesperson for the Maricopa County Air Quality Department, said it’s a combination of factors — the Valley’s topography and a drop in temperatures keep air trapped in place.
“This temperature inversion creates a kind of lid over the Valley. It prevents air from flowing out, and circulating. So whatever pollution we have, it remains stagnant, near the surface where it can be inhaled,” Halpert said.
On top of that, people getting together for the holidays this time of year light up a lot of fireplaces and fire pits by burning wood.
“Breathing in polluted air, specifically wood smoke, is detrimental to our health, it affects our breathing, it exacerbates asthma, bronchitis, etc.,” Halpert said.
Halpert said the best way to prevent air pollution is to avoid burning wood. Before starting a fire, you can also check the department’s website or smartphone app for air quality forecasts and No Burn Day restrictions.
“It’s really important to abide by these No Burn Day restrictions,” Halpert said. “It’s not just to protect the environment, it’s also to protect ourselves and our community.”
For qualifying Maricopa County residents, the department also offers a program to cover the costs of converting your wood burning fireplace into a gas model, Halpert said.
