FLORENCE, AZ – Pinal County Air Quality will resume issuing open burning permits in portions of Pinal County on September 14, 2009. The ban originally went into effect in late April to mitigate the risk of wildfire. Recent rains and higher humidity levels have reduced the fire risk in many areas.

The ban on open burning will remain in effect where local fire departments still regard open fires as a threat, including the Oracle, San Manuel and Dudleyville Fire Districts.

State law prohibits open burning in the portion of north central Pinal County that includes Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Gold Canyon and San Tan Valley. This region is affected by more stringent air quality regulations that prohibit open burning until October 1.

Applications for burn permits and additional information on open burning are available on the Air Quality Division’s website at http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/AirQuality/Pages/BurnPermits.aspx or by calling the Pinal County Air Quality Division at 520-866-6929.