The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) has issued an Air Quality Advisory for June 10, 2020, triggered by the Bighorn and Tortolita Fires. The potential for elevated levels of particulate matter and ground-level ozone exist in areas near the fire and beyond, depending on wind direction.
PDEQ encourages children, older adults and those with heart or lung disease to be cautious and understand that if they can smell smoke, they are breathing smoke. These at-risk individuals are encouraged to reduce their level of exertion and avoid outside activities to decrease the amount of air pollution they breathe into their lungs. Wildfire smoke and ground-level ozone can irritate eyes, the respiratory system and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. If possible, closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with the fresh-air intake closed and filter clean will help prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside. Visit PDEQ’s website for more information about protecting yourself from fire smoke.
PDEQ monitors air pollution in our region at 15 air quality monitoring sites. Up-to-the-hour air pollution levels are available online at the PDEQ website www.pima.gov/deq.
The public can sign up at www.pima.gov/deq to receive Air Quality Advisories and other Pima County Department of Environmental Quality notices directly via email.