The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has issued a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Maricopa County on Thursday, December 25, 2025. The advisory is due to expected high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which are forecasted to exceed federal health standards.
According to ADEQ, “People with heart or lung diseases, older adults and children are most likely to be affected by particle pollution. PM10 particles are so small they are able to travel into the respiratory tract where they can cause short-term health effects such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath. Exposure to these particles can also affect lung function and worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.”
The advisory imposes several restrictions in Maricopa County:
– Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited. This applies to both individuals and businesses with burn permits.
– Government employees and contractors may not operate leaf blowers during the HPA. Residents are also encouraged not to use leaf blowers.
– Off-road vehicle use should be avoided.
ADEQ recommends that all residents limit outdoor activities while the advisory is in effect—especially those with respiratory problems.
Residents and businesses are encouraged by ADEQ and the Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) to take steps that help reduce air pollution:
– Avoid dust-generating activities like driving on dirt roads.
– Stabilize loose soils.
– Refrain from using fireplaces or wood stoves.
– Use rakes or brooms instead of leaf blowers; keep debris out of roads and waterways.
– Reduce driving by carpooling, using public transit or telecommuting. More information about transportation alternatives is available at Valley Metro: ShareTheRide.com.
A High Pollution Advisory serves as a notification that air pollutant levels are expected to surpass federal health standards. Particulate matter includes extremely small solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in air; these originate from combustion sources such as vehicles or industry, wood burning, or dust stirred up into the atmosphere.
For more information about air quality resources in Maricopa County visit Maricopa.gov/AQ.
In other local developments related to education outcomes in Maricopa County: Recent data show that 62.9% of students in grades 3 through 8 did not pass the mathematics section of the AASA for the 2022–23 school year (https://www.azed.gov/). Similarly, 65% of high school students failed the mathematics section of the ACT during that same period (https://www.azed.gov/). For English proficiency assessments in 2022–23, 57.2% of students in grades 3 through 8 failed the AASA English section (https://www.azed.gov/), while among high schoolers taking the ACT English section, 57% did not pass (https://www.azed.gov/).
Media inquiries regarding this advisory can be directed to Ari Halpert at ari.halpert@maricopa.gov or by phone at either 602-501-1266 (cell) or 602-506-6713 (desk).
For ongoing updates on air quality conditions follow @maricopaair on Instagram and Twitter or download MCAQD’s Clean Air app from major app stores.
