The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has extended an air quality Health Watch for through Christmas day and evening, Dec. 25, for fine Particulate Matter-2.5 (soot).

The Maricopa County Air Quality Department has issued a No Burn day for Christmas Day with the Health Watch and High Pollution Advisory in effect.

The Health Watch is being issued because significant levels of soot are expected from fireplace wood burning. ADEQ and MCAQD are currently conducting a “No Burn Day? Don’t Burn Wood!” campaign to make Maricopa County residents aware of the serious health threat that soot poses.

A Health Watch means that the concentration of PM2.5 may approach the federal health standard for this pollutant. ADEQ recommends that unusually sensitive people, such as people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children, should reduce prolonged activity or heavy exertion, especially when outdoors on Tuesday and Wednesday. A High Pollution Advisory would extend such precautions to the general population.

“We understand how this might affect some holiday celebrations. Unfortunately it is a severe health and economic issue,” Maricopa County Air Quality Department Director Bill Wiley said. “Wood burning restrictions are in place to protect our health. This is especially a concern on holiday nights when there are numerous parties and fires. Please think about your family and friends before you light that wood burning fire. Please do your part to avoid adding more pollution to our air and do not light a wood burning fire during this period.”