The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued a high-pollution advisory for Saturday and Sunday.

A high-pollution advisory means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Active children, adults and people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

The state urges residents to take the following actions on Dec. 21-22, the first weekend of winter:

• Eliminate wood-burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas and outdoor fire pits.
• Drive less, carpool, use public transit or telework. 
• Avoid using leaf blowers.
• Use electric lawn and garden equipment.
• Reduce wait time in long drive-thru lines. Go inside.
• Fuel vehicles after dark or during cooler evening hours.

Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. It includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.