“Burn Cleaner Burn Better” 2016-17 Campaign

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

In Maricopa County a combination of wood-burning and stagnant weather conditions creates poor air quality in the winter. Stagnant air is common Oct. 1 to Feb. 1 when cold temperature inversions trap smoke and other pollution close to ground. Although currently in attainment for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) PM 2.5 (smoke) air quality health standard, Maricopa County air monitors have detected levels closely approaching a violation of the standard. PM 2.5 is a huge health risk. When the number of wood- burning fires soar, so do the levels of unhealthy PM 2.5 in the air. Residual effects from wood -burning are even more harmful to those with compromised lung functionality, the elderly and children. To address this issue, during the 2016-17 winter season, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD), the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), and approximately 100 business, industry, health, and government stakeholders collaborated on a substantial campaign increasing awareness and changing behavior. “Burn Cleaner, Burn Better Campaign” was designed to offer residents and businesses cleaner, more environmental friendly alternatives then using wood-brining devices. Outreach components included billboards, flyers, freeway signs, mobile app alerts, newsletters, op-ed articles, presentations, and radio and television PSAs. This aggressive, widespread, bilingual outreach campaign targeted five goals: 1) change behavior by offering cleaner alternatives to wood-burning; 2) increase awareness of No Burn days within the community; 3) improve air quality during a traditionally challenging time of year; 4) prevent violation of the federal standard; 5) avoid costly and burdensome requirements associated with nonattainment. The campaign concluded Jan. 31, 2017 with noteworthy success. For only the second time in the last 12 years there were no air quality violations for PM 2.5 in Maricopa County during the holidays. The levels were lower and the region remained in attainment with national health air quality standards.