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The Maricopa County Air Quality Department has declared Wednesday a No Burn Day
The Maricopa County Air Quality Department has declared a No Burn Day for Wednesday, January 8 due to elevated levels of PM10 (dust).
Take Action
- Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
- Convert your wood burning fireplace to natural gas or propane. Check if you are eligible to receive up to $2,000 to upgrade your fireplace to natural gas by visiting Maricopa.gov/AQ.
- Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
- Use electric lawn and garden equipment. Check if you are eligible to receive up to $200 to replace gasoline powered lawn equipment by visiting Maricopa.gov/AQ.
- Reduce your wait time in long drive-thru lines. Park your vehicle and walk inside at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, curbside pick-up, and banks.
- Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
- Use low-VOC (volatile organic compound) or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.
- Properly seal household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.
No Burn Day Restrictions
- Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
- Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
- Off-road vehicles are prohibited from being used.
Regulated Businesses
Businesses conducting dust-generating operations must be vigilant of their dust control measures. Workers may need to cease operating, after stabilizing disturbed areas, if water application and other dust control measures prove ineffective.
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.
PM2.5 is fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter that result from fuel combustion from motor vehicles, power generation, and industrial facilities, as well as from residential fireplaces and wood stoves.
*/ /*-->*/ Source Maricopa County Air Quality Department January 8, 2025 - 08:32am Keyword pollution high pollution advisory Maricopa County Air Quality Department No Burn DayAs winter storm arrives, APS provides preparedness tips for customers
While this week’s winter storm may mean light chances of snow in Arizona’s high country, the colder temperatures and high winds are a good reminder to make sure you are ready for whatever Mother Nature brings. Arizona Public Service (APS) crews prepare year-round to keep power flowing to customers reliably, no matter the weather. Before a harsh winter storm arrives that may cause damage to the electrical grid, APS customers can take steps now to prepare, stay informed and be safe.
Before a winter storm:
- Update your contact information with APS to ensure you receive important information. Download the APS app or visit aps.com/outagecenter to create an online account to receive text or email alerts and safety tips in case of a power outage.
- If you use life-sustaining medical equipment that requires electricity, call to register for the APS Medical Care Program at 602-371-7171 or 800-253-9405. This alerts APS of your needs in the event of an outage.
- Keep your phone charged and have a portable back-up power bank ready to go.
- Have a flashlight with extra batteries nearby.
- Keep important phone numbers like those of medical providers, family, friends and APS stored in your cell phone and written down.
- Stock up on enough water and non-perishable food items for your whole family.
- If you have an electric garage door, make sure you know how to open it manually so you can leave your home if you are without power.
During a winter power outage:
- Report outages on aps.com, through the APS app, or call our 24/7 Outage Hotline at 602-371-3680 or 855-688-2437.
- Monitor the APS Outage Map for information about power outages in your community. Customers with updated contact information will automatically receive outage alerts from APS via text message or email.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep food cold.
- Turn off and unplug home devices and major appliances to avoid electrical spikes when power is restored. After power is restored, wait 5-10 minutes to plug in and turn them back on.
- If you see a downed power line, make sure you stay at least 100 feet away, call 911 and then call APS at 602-371-7171 or 800-253-9405.
How APS prepares for winter storms:
- APS crews regularly maintain more than 38,000 miles of power lines throughout the state, clear hazardous vegetation that could impact lines and use advanced technologies like drones and robots to inspect equipment to proactively detect issues before they cause problems.
- APS meteorologists track and monitor storm activity so crews can prepare for potential impacts to electrical equipment.
- In northern Arizona, field crews keep specialized vehicles and tools on hand so they can access power lines and electrical equipment in areas where terrain can be challenging and unreachable by standard bucket trucks.
- APS vehicles are stocked with appropriate supplies and lineworkers are trained on how to respond and restore power for customers as quickly and safely as possible during adverse winter storms.
Acreage increases as Horton Fire grows towards handlines and control features; Public meeting tonight
Highlights: Firefighters were successful yesterday and last night in bringing the fire off the rim and closer to established control lines north of SR-260, east of Horton Creek, and west of Christopher Creek. With today’s predicted favorable weather conditions and as part of the full suppression tactics for the Horton Fire, crews plan
on continuing strategic burning operations to secure the fire perimeter near neighborhoods and along SR-260.
A public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 546 W Ashby Apple Dr., Payson, AZ 85541. Livestream available on the Tonto National Forest Facebook page.
Smoke: Smoke and flames continue to be visible in surrounding areas and from SR- 260. For more information on local smoke impacts, visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/.
Operations: Crews will continue work around Promontory Point today and tonight. On the western side, crews continue strengthening the control line along the Horton Creek Trail and in the Tonto Creek Estates area. On the eastern side, crews are working in the Christopher Creek area, bringing fire along ridgelines for increased
protection of the Christopher Creek neighborhood. Aviation resources, both helicopters and drones, are working in between these two drainages to help remove ground fuels and move this fire as safely and securely as possible through the forested areas.
Weather: For the Horton Fire area, temperatures will rise a few degrees in the afternoon compared to Sunday. This warming will work to bring down humidity. Winds will be generally light, favoring terrain influences for its direction. Moisture will improve modestly overnight as the next weather system begins. A strong inversion will
set up tonight which in the presence of light winds and better humidity may create visibility impacts.
TFR: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR 5/0461) is in place for the Horton Fire through January 31. More information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_5_0461.html.
Evacuations, Road Closures and Forest Orders: The communities of Christopher Creek, Hunter Creek, R-C Scout Camp, Tonto Creek Estates, Tonto Christian Camp, Tonto Fish Hatchery, Kohls Ranch, and Zane Grey Cabins are in SET evacuation status. Highway closures are not currently in effect due to the Horton Fire,
however reduced visibility due to smoke on SR-260 is possible. The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area. Travelers should monitor roadway status and conditions via AZ Department of Transportation at https://www.az511.com/.
A Forest closure order is in effect to protect public health and safety during the Horton Fire as well as protecting firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. More information can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.
Fire details:
- Size: 3,598 acres
- Start date: December 14, 2024
- Cause: Under Investigation
- Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
- Containment: 17%
- Total personnel: 457
- Fuel: Timber, chaparral
- Resources: 8 crews, 32 engines, 3 helicopters, 1 bulldozer, 4 water tenders
Information Links and Contacts:
- Phone Number: (602) 551-7327 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
- Email: [email protected]
- Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-horton-fire-2024
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest
Firing operations underway to protect communities near Horton Fire; Smoke impacts expected
Highlights: Firefighters had a successful day of firing operations and fireline enhancement yesterday and last night. Today, work will continue around Promontory Point, with ongoing ignitions below the rim between Horton Creek Trail and eastward towards Christopher Creek as work continues on this full suppression fire.
A public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, January 6, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 546 W Ashby Apple Dr., Payson, AZ 85541. This meeting will also be livestreamed on the Tonto National Forest Facebook page.
Smoke: Smoke and flames continue to be visible in the area and can be seen from State Route 260. For more information on local smoke impacts, visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/.
Operations: Firefighters continue working on both day and night shifts on the Horton Fire. Yesterday, winds limited aerial firing operations above the rim. Heavy equipment successfully constructed dozer line on the north end of the fire, tying into existing handline and further securing containment features. Today, crews will conduct firing operations along the Mogollon Rim, on the Horton Creek Trail east of the community of Tonto Creek Estates and west/north of Christopher Creek to assist with reducing fuel availability and help control the main fire’s spread. Crews will continue patrolling and securing fireline as structure protection resources lay hose and conduct point protection in nearby communities.
Weather: The fire area is forecasted to experience temperatures from the high-40s to low-50s with relative humidity up to 60% and calmer winds. No precipitation is expected in the next 24-48 hours.
TFR: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR 5/0461) is in place for the Horton Fire through January 31. More information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_5_0461.html.
Evacuations, Road Closures and Forest Orders: The communities of Tonto Creek Estates, Tonto Christian Camp, Tonto Fish Hatchery, Kohls Ranch, and Zane Grey Cabins are in SET evacuation status. The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area.
Highway closures are not currently in effect due to the Horton Fire, however reduced visibility due to smoke on SR-260 is possible. Travelers should monitor roadway status and conditions via AZ Department of Transportation at https://www.az511.com/.
A Forest closure order is in effect to protect public health and safety during the Horton Fire as well as protecting firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. More information can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.
Fire details:
- Size: 1,972 acres
- Start date: December 14, 2024
- Cause: Under Investigation
- Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
- Containment: 17%
- Total personnel: 416
- Fuel: Timber, chaparral
- Resources: 7 crews, 32 engines, 2 helicopters, 1 bulldozer, 4 water tenders
Information Links and Contacts:
- Phone Number: 602-551-7327 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
- Email: [email protected]
- Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-horton-fire-2024
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest
