(Image source from: Valley to have no-burn days during holidays)

This year, the Valley people will have to forego their Yule logs and bring on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day sans any fire.

Valley officials have motioned for no-burn days in the state as a part of their public-awareness campaign against environmental pollution.

A simple, direct warning has been issued to the Maricopa County residents by state and county air-quality regulators asking them to think twice about their own and neighbors’ health before lighting fireplaces to celebrate Christmas and the new year.

Every year, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department declares no-burn days to cut down on pollution, but the declarations often goes unheard and disobeyed.

“No-burn days are declared when there is a high-pollution advisory, from October through January. Stagnant air and winter inversions in the Valley trap pollution close to the ground. Residents are prohibited from burning wood in their fireplaces, chimneys or outdoors on no-burn days. Wax logs are prohibited, but gas fireplaces are allowed,” reveals a local daily.

“You’ll do your neighbors and friends a big favor if you follow the no-burn request when it is announced,” Dr. David Sanderson, pulmonologist at Mayo Clinic said.

AW: Suchorita Dutta Choudhury