The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued a PM2.5 High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued a PM2.5 High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22.

Take Action

• Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
• Convert your wood burning fireplace to natural gas or propane. Check if you are eligible to receive up to $2,000 to upgrade your fireplace to natural gas by visiting Maricopa.gov/AQ.
• Drive less, carpool, use public transit, or telework. For information on transportation alternatives, visit ShareTheRide.com.
• Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Use electric lawn and garden equipment. Check if you are eligible to receive up to $200 to replace gasoline powered lawn equipment by visiting Maricopa.gov/AQ.
• Reduce your wait time in long drive-thru lines. Park your vehicle and walk inside at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, curbside pick-ups, and banks.
• Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
• Use low-VOC (volatile organic compound) or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.
• Delay large painting projects until HPAs have passed.
• Properly seal household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.

HPA Restrictions

• Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
• Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
• Off-road vehicles are prohibited from being used.

Transportation Coordinators

Due to unhealthy levels of particulate matter, all Transportation Coordinators are requested to email employees and activate your HPA plans. The department encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, especially when pollution levels are expected to be on the rise.

PM2.5 is fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter that result from fuel combustion from motor vehicles, power generation, and industrial facilities, as well as from residential fireplaces and wood stoves.

"High Pollution Advisory" or "HPA" means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Active children, adults, and people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.