Health watch restricts burning in Phoenix area

Stagnant cool weather in the Phoenix area is prompting Maricopa County air-quality officials to enforce mandatory restrictions against burning.

The state Department of Environmental Quality has issued a health watch alert for Tuesday because of high levels of fine particles such as smoke from wood fires.

"..any smoke we add to our air stays trapped near the surface," Maricopa County Air Quality Department Director Bill Wiley said.  "Wood burning adds fine particles which makes breathing much harder for your relatives and friends who have asthma or breathing difficulties."    

According to county officials, the restrictions include:

• Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimineas and outdoor fire pits.
• Drive as little as possible: car pool, use public transit or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit Valley Metro: www.valleymetro.org. or call 602-253-5000.
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
• Avoid activities that generate dust, such as driving on dirt roads.
• To learn more about the air you're breathing, visit: www.CleanAirMakeMore.com

Air-quality officials also advise residents to drive as little as possible, to avoid using gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment and to not do things that stir up dust, such as driving on dirt roads.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.