Cactus Village Community

NO-BURN DAYS

Jul 28, 2003

Unfortunately, you can?’t mark these on your calendar, but it?’s a safe bet that during the next few months we?’ll be observing some no-burn days. While we treasure the cooler temperatures and the use of our fireplaces, air pollution gets trapped near the ground. Maricopa County occasionally issues air pollution advisories to help avoid unacceptable levels of air pollution, and has the authority to levy fines for violations, which, obviously, are easily traced.

To find out whether it is safe to burn in your fireplace or wood-burning stove, call the County Air Advisory Hotline at 602-506-6400, or visit their internet site at www . maricopa. gov/envsvc/AIR/AIRDAY/ woodbrng.asp.

Natural gas or other clean-burning appliances are acceptable for use on these no-bum days.

The city of Phoenix advises its residents with existing wood-burning fireplaces and stoves to consider some helpful hints on the days when burning is allowed. They recommend burning only dry, seasoned wood (no green wood) and no trash. Additionally, they advise checking the fire periodically for excessive smoke, which usually means the wood needs to be adjusted to allow more air flow. Residents are also encouraged to convert their wood-burning fireplaces and stoves to natural gas appliances. . . ☻