Restrictions

The department's news section on the home page will be updated to reflect if there is a High Pollution Advisory or Health Watch at any given time. Please refer to the information below to find out what restrictions, if any, are prohibited based on the current air quality status. In addition, any activities that are restricted will appear in red on the department's home page.

During an Ozone High Pollution Advisory, the following is prohibited:

• Leaf blowers being used on governmental properties

• Woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires. This restriction includes woodburning fires at hotels and restaurants.

During a PM-10 High Pollution Advisory, the following is prohibited:

• Leaf blowers being used on governmental properties

• Woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires. This restriction includes woodburning fires at hotels and restaurants.

• Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) being used in Area A.

During a PM-2.5 High Pollution Advisory, the following is prohibited:

• Leaf blowers being used on governmental properties

• Woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires. This restriction includes woodburning fires at hotels and restaurants.

• Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) being used in Area A.

The approximate boundary of Area A within Maricopa County is the following:

• 355th Avenue on the West side

• Mobile and Hunt Highway on the South side

• Six miles inland of the Tonto National Forest on the East side

• The northern Maricopa County boundary

View these boundaries on a map. A complete list of Air Quality Department rules and regulations for Maricopa County may be found on the department's website.

During a PM-10 or PM-2.5 Health Watch, the following is prohibited:

• Woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires. This restriction includes woodburning fires at hotels and restaurants.

During an Ozone Health Watch, there are currently no restrictions.

Tips to reduce ozone pollution:

• Drive less. When possible, carpool, van pool or use public transportation

• Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants or banks. Park your car and go inside

• Re-fuel your vehicle in the early morning hours or after dark during cooler hours

• Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers

• Delay big painting projects until high pollution advisories have passed

• Make sure that containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air

• Conserve electricity

Tips to reduce dust pollution:

• Use a rake or a broom instead of using a leaf blower.

• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment

• Avoid using woodburning fireplaces or stoves on no burn days

• Drive slowly or not at all on unpaved roads and vacant lots

• Avoid driving off-road vehicles in the dirt or on unpaved roads

• Consolidate errands into one trip

• Conserve electricity

"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. Maricopa County employers enlisted in the Trip Reduction Program are asked to activate their HPA plans on high pollution advisory days.

"Health Watch" means the highest concentration of pollution may approach the federal health standard. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion during a health watch.
Visit www.CleanAirMakeMore.com for more pollution-prevention information.