The City of Hillsboro, along with the City of Cornelius and Washington County, is launching its annual air quality advisory season, which will continue through March 1. The program is intended to reduce emissions of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), which can affect human health.
Since 2015, Hillsboro has prohibited outdoor burning year-round. The city’s regulations cover yard debris burning but allow recreational fires, such as backyard fire pits or grilling. The restrictions focus on reducing activities that generate high levels of emissions.
From yesterday through March 1, Washington County issues a daily air quality advisory that classifies conditions into three levels. A Red advisory indicates unhealthy air and prohibits the use of fireplaces or wood stoves, except for households listed in the city’s announcement. Exemptions include pellet stoves and homes that rely on wood burning as their primary heat source, including low-income households.
Washington County’s daily air quality advisory also includes an Air Quality Alert, which indicates conditions that may be unhealthy for sensitive groups. During these periods, the county recommends a voluntary burn restriction to help reduce emissions. Green days indicate good air quality, and no restrictions are in place.
