Pinal County to suspend issuance of open burn permits

Pinal County Air Quality is only issuing three-day open burning permits, and officials announced all permits will expire by May 1.

Pinal County will suspend the issuance of all open burning permits starting April 28, according to a release.

Burn permits allow for the disposal of plant material by open burning during limited daytime hours.

State law prohibits open burning from May 1 through Sept. 30 in Area A, which in Pinal County includes Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley and portions of Florence.

“As temperatures rise, seasonal vegetation quickly dries up, which poses a significant wildlife risk in the desert and upland areas of the county,” the release from Pinal County Air Quality stated.

The suspension of burn permits will continue until the monsoons arrive and mitigate the risks to public safety and health, officials said.

For more: https://www.pinal.gov/305/Air-Quality