Today is a no-burn day

The Maricopa County Air Quality Department has declared a no-burn day for today. Residents are asked not to use wood-burning fireplaces.

As chilly as it is right now, it might seem like the ideal time for a roaring fire. But state and county airquality officials are asking metro Phoenix residents not do to that on Christmas Day.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued a high-pollution advisory for Dec. 25 in Maricopa County for fine particulate matter (soot). In connection with that advisory, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department has declared no-burn day for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Residents are asked not to use wood-burning fireplaces, chimineas and outdoor fire pits at homes and businesses such as hotels and restaurants that burn wood.

The restrictions also include use of leaf blowers and off-road vehicles.

Those caught in violation of the ban could receive a warning for the first offense and a $250 fine for additional violations.

The advisory is because particulate matter, specifically PM 2.5 (2.5 microns or less), is expected to reach levels high enough to exceed federal health standards. To provide a sense of scale, the width of a a human hair is about 70-100 microns.

PM 2.5 is especially problematic this time of year. More people are burning wood because of the cool nights and the holiday season.

Those particulates are tiny enough to travel deep into the respiratory tract and be absorbed into the blood stream. They can cause short-term health effects such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation; coughing; sneezing; runny nose; and shortness of breath.

People with heart or lung diseases, older adults and children are most likely to be affected. Long-term effects include reduced lung function, respiratory issues and potentially even increased risk of heart attack and premature death.

Details: To find out more about no-burn days and pollution advisories, visit cleanairmakemore.com, download the Clean Air Make More app or call 602506-6400.