Phoenix-area county to begin annual ‘no burn’ campaign

PHOENIX — No burn days are ahead and Maricopa County officials are asking residents to cooperate to prevent poor air quality.

“We’re going to have another campaign asking folks not to burn wood on ‘no burn’ days,” said Maricopa County Air Quality Department spokesman Bob Huhn. “That’s when the levels for smoke are at its highest and unhealthiest.”

Winter is the most common time of year for no burn days because the colder air means more people are burning wood in wood stoves, fireplaces and fire pits.  Huhn said people also tend to light fires during the holidays when friends and families are gathering.

Huhn said the wood burning decreases the quality of the air, which can put children and the elderly at risk.

While cooperation is voluntary, Hahn said if Maricopa County exceeds federal standards of wood burning, the government could impose stricter regulations and higher fines.

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