Who issues a FIRE BAN?
The Maricopa County Air Quality Department regulates burn activities because the process of burning wood and other materials produces fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other toxins that can be harmful to your health. Most burning restrictions apply throughout Maricopa County from May 1 through September 30 in Area A.
In accordance with the Maricopa County Air Pollution Control Regulations III – Control of Air Contaminants Guide for Rule 314, the following guidelines apply:
Fires are prohibited from May 1 – September 30 in Area A. This includes:
- Warmth for human beings
- Recreational purposes
- Wood-burning chimineas and outdoor pits
- Branding of animals
Maricopa County regional parks located within Area A’s boundaries include:
- Adobe Dam Regional Park
- Buckeye Hills Regional Park
- Cave Creek Regional Park
- Estrella Mountain Regional Park
- Hassayampa River Preserve
- Lake Pleasant Regional Park
- McDowell Mountain Regional Park
- San Tan Mountain Regional Park
- Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
- Usery Mountain Regional Park
- White Tank Mountain Regional Park
What does the fire ban include?
The fire ban includes the use of campfires, fire pits, and charcoal grills; however, it is still acceptable to use gas/propane grills in designated areas such as the ramada areas, semi-developed, and developed camping sites.
Where will fire ban information be posted?
What is a TEMPORARY FIRE BAN?
- Park supervisors have been authorized to issue temporary fire bans when a full-fledged fire ban is not in place to ensure public safety and protect the park's resources. When temporary fire bans are issued, information will be posted on the website, and park visitors will be notified as they enter the park.
- Where will temporary fire ban information be posted? The parks may post the information on their respective park home pages on the website, on the park's Facebook pages, and throughout the park. If/when possible, staff and park volunteers may visit park visitors in the campgrounds to alert and/or update them on the temporary fire ban.
Who issues a NO BURN DAY?
- When air pollution levels are on the rise and weather conditions create dry, stagnant air, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department and/or Arizona Department of Environmental Quality will issue a “No Burn Day.” Restrictions last for a 24-hour period, starting at midnight, and include a ban on woodburning activity including fireplaces, fire pits, or open outdoor fires. Depending on the status of air quality, restrictions will change, so be sure to take note of the differences. “High Pollution Advisory,” or “HPA,” means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard.
- Where can I find No Burn Day alerts? The department recommends that park visitors visit the following websites for information and updates on No Burn Days:
- Clean Air
- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
- One sample of a Clean Air widget has been provided above this post. Additional Clean Air widgets can be found on the left side-rail of each park home page. The department recommends visiting the websites above for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
What are the different types of No Burn Day restrictions?
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Ozone High Pollution Advisory*: Ground-level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to form. The months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal “ozone season.”
- PM-10 High Pollution Advisory*: PM-10 (sometimes referred to as PM10) is coarse particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in diameter that are generally emitted from sources such as vehicles traveling on unpaved roads, materials handling, and crushing and grinding operations, as well as windblown dust.
- Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers.
- Woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is not allowed.
- Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) being used in Area A is not allowed.
- PM-10 or PM-2.5 Health Watch: Woodburning in residential fireplaces, chimineas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is not allowed.
*During High Pollution Advisories, it is permissible to cook with charcoal when it is being done for immediate consumption. Fires must be extinguished once the meal has been cooked.