Revised On: Sep. 9th, 2024 - 06:12 pm
Revised On: Aug. 12, 2024 - 11:00 a.m.
Thank you for your interest in the Community Air Quality Toolkit!
Even if you are not located within one of our Flag Program areas*, we want to offer you resources that will assist you in making informed decisions to protect your health.
*Areas where air quality either does not meet, or is at risk of not meeting, national standards. These areas must also have air quality forecasts for ozone, PM10 (dust), and PM2.5 (smoke) in Arizona.
How to Read Your Air Quality Forecast!
Flagstaff and Prescott Air Quality Forecasts (only ozone)
ADEQ forecasts ozone pollution for:
In general, ozone levels are low during the winter and monsoon months, and high in the spring leading up to the monsoon. On average, most days of the year are in the “Good Air Quality Index (AQI)” category.
However, these forecasts do not take into account PM10 (dust) which can be elevated from strong wind, particularly in the spring/fall seasons. They also don’t include PM2.5 (smoke), which can be elevated from wildfires, prescribed fires or from local, residential fireplace usage in the colder months.
Douglas, Rillito, Miami, and Hayden Air Quality Forecasts (only PM10)
ADEQ forecasts PM10 (dust) pollution for:
Douglas — Most of the time PM10 (dust) is influenced by local activity, however, it can increase with strong wind and from strong thunderstorm outflow winds. Furthermore, a mineral plant located about 10 miles west of town can elevate PM10 levels locally.
Rillito, Miami, and Hayden — PM10 (dust) is primarily driven by a singular industrial source (i.e., cement and mining operations). Areas downwind of local industries can experience elevated PM10, depending on the strength of the wind. These locations can also be impacted by regional dust transport and dust from strong thunderstorm outflow winds.
Ozone will generally be lower at all four locations but it can be transported into any of these locations from large metropolitan cities, like Phoenix. For Douglas, the Chiricahua National Monument ozone monitor can be used as an approximate indicator of regional ozone concentrations | View Monitor >
PM2.5 (smoke) can be elevated from wildfires, prescribed fires or from local, residential fireplace usage during the colder months.
Nogales Air Quality Forecast (only PM10 and PM2.5)
ADEQ forecasts PM10 (dust) and PM2.5 (smoke) for Nogales | View >
PM10 (dust) and PM2.5 (smoke) are higher during the colder months, when pollution gets trapped near the surface. Both pollutants are mostly locally driven but can sometimes be influenced by activity south of the border. Dust can also impact Nogales from regional dust transport or from strong thunderstorm outflow winds.
Elevated PM2.5 (smoke) is possible in Nogales from wildfires or from local, residential fireplace usage during the colder months.
Nogales can still be impacted by ozone when it is transported from large metropolitan cities but generally, it is not a big concern.
Additional Resources
We have additional resources available to assist you | Learn More >
