Emergency Bulletins

High Pollution Advisory issued for Pima County
8/15/2022 - 9:40 am
Pima County Department of Environmental Quality | Air Quality | dust | high pollution advisory

The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory for Particulate Matter (PM10) for today. According to the National Weather Service, the dust was blown into the Tucson region from Maricopa and Pinal Counties last night. The PDEQ PM10 air quality monitor in Corona de Tucson is in the “unhealthy” range this morning, and several others are in the "moderate" range. Elevated dust levels are expected to continue throughout the morning but will likely return to the healthy range by the afternoon.

PDEQ encourages older adults and those with...

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Ozone High Pollution Advisory issued in Maricopa County for Monday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 16
8/15/2022 - 9:28 am
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality | ozone high pollution advisory | clean air make more

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Monday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 16.

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 during HPAs.
  • Off-road vehicle use should...
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What you need to know about updated CDC guidance on COVID-19
8/12/2022 - 11:23 am
ADHS | Arizona | CDC | guidance | COVID | COVID-19 | coronavirus | masks | quarantine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its COVID-19 guidance to focus on reducing the risk of severe illness and, in doing so, minimizing strain on the health care system. 

Perhaps the most notable change is eliminating the recommendation that someone isolate if they have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. The guidance does call for wearing a properly fitting mask for 10 days after exposure and getting tested at least five days after. In addition, the updated guidance doesn’t distinguish between vaccinated and unvaccinated people, though...

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Ozone High Pollution Advisory issued in Maricopa County for August 11 and 12
8/11/2022 - 5:18 pm
Maricopa | County | ozone | pollution | Air Quality | Phoenix

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Thursday, August 11 and Friday, August 12. 

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 during HPAs.

Off-road vehicle use should be...

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County Public Health Department Detects First West Nile Virus Positive Mosquitoes in 2022
8/11/2022 - 2:39 pm
Pinal County | West Nile Virus | Mosquitos | public health.

This week, during routine seasonal mosquito surveillance, the Pinal County Public Health Services District (PCPHSD) detected West Nile Virus (WNV) positive mosquitoes in the county. It is especially important for everyone to be vigilant in preventing mosquito breeding and mosquito bites now that we have had some significant monsoon rains.

Not all mosquitoes transmit WNV. Pinal County Environmental Health’s vector control program staff do regular surveillance throughout the county looking for the specific mosquitoes associated with human disease. This mosquito surveillance data is...

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