High Pollution Advisory Issued For Phoenix Area

By Annika Cline
Published: Tuesday, March 25, 2014 - 4:28pm
(Photo courtesy of the Maricopa County Air Quality Department)
Download the Clean Air Make More App for real time information about air quality and alerts.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued a high pollution advisory all day Wednesday. The department said high winds up to 35 miles per hour are moving in from the west, which means the Phoenix area will have its normal dust, plus a lot more from western Arizona. The DEQ’s Mark Shaffer said people should limit their activity outdoors as much as possible.

"Our advisory is particularly for younger children and elderly people to stay inside. Also people that are of good health and middle-aged should be cautious," Shaffer said.

Shaffer said it has been a while since this type of advisory for dust particulates has been issued. The department is also restricting open fires in Maricopa County for the day and recommends people drive as little as possible to reduce pollution.