Unhealthy Air in Phoenix

Staff Writer, DL Mullan
Air Quality / No Burn Day
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What a No Burn Day looks like in Phoenix:

Phoenix residents have got to realize the unhealthy air they create ignoring the No Burn Days affects their children and parents. Not being able to breathe is not pleasant. Cancer is even worse.

Do Not Burn today as well.


Source: AirNow

Burning Down the House: Open Outdoor Fires and You

Staff Writer, DL Mullan
Community Interest / Fire Safety
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A neighbor was burning yard waste in their back yard, which affected my breathing and I was forced inside my house. This episode brought up the question: are Phoenix residents allowed to burn their trash?

Here is what Maricopa County allows residents to burn without a permit: 

• Cooking for immediate human consumption.
• Warmth for human beings.
• Recreational purposes (small fire pit or container) use clean dry wood or charcoal.
• Branding of animals.
• Orchard heaters for frost protection in farming or nursery operations
• Wood burning chimineas and outdoor fire pits

Household and yard waste are not on this list.

If you would like to avoid a class one misdemeanor, criminal offense, then please see the Maricopa County FAQ.

Next time you burn waste the fire department might be called to your back yard and the firefighters could lose precious time to save someone from a real fire.

Source: Maricopa County

Fireplace and Woodburning Harms Valley Residents' Health

Staff Writer, DL Mullan

Community Interest / Medicine

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People with respiratory issues have a hard time breathing this time of the year. Not because of the cooler temperatures, but because of the burning activities of Valley residents. 

Imagine if you had asthma, emphysema, or worse, then looked at the smog lacing the metro area's sky. It's not fun to be unable to breathe. It's even worse when someone has to visit the hospital for an emergency intervention.

Here is a snippet from Phoenix's AirNow:

We are closing on some worst days for pollution historically. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day see some of the worst pollution that is entirely preventable here in the Valley. Festive fireplace and fire pit activity on these nights and days leave a blanket of smoke over the Phoenix metropolitan area that gets trapped by inversions. Unfortunately, these levels of pollution are so extreme that Health Watches and High Pollution Advisories are issued, triggering No Burn restrictions from Maricopa County. We can reverse this trend, but we need your help.

For more, visit: http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/ozone/Holiday%20Burning.pdf. Check back tomorrow for more. Until then, have a good day! -J.Paul

Give more than material gifts this holiday season. Give the gift of breathing. Limit your festive burning activities and let others enjoy the holidays as well.

Source: Airnow Phoenix