FORECAST: Poor air quality and toasty for the Fourth of July

Air quality remains a concern across Arizona for the rest of the week and into the holiday weekend. Wildfire smoke has triggered an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Flagstaff, Williams and Munds Park through Thursday.

MOST ACCURATE FORECAST: Air quality alerts due to ozone and wildfire smoke

By: Justin Hobbs

PHOENIX — Air quality will remain a concern across Arizona through the rest of the week and into the holiday weekend.

Wildfire smoke has prompted an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Flagstaff, Williams and Munds Park through Friday.

In the Valley, a mix of sunshine and lighter winds is also contributing to an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Maricopa County through Friday.

If you have asthma, COPD or other respiratory issues, it’s a good idea to take it easy outdoors over the next several days. Children and older adults should limit time outside as well. If you can, consider carpooling, telecommuting or using public transportation. And if you’re planning yard work with gas-powered equipment, try to push it to later in the day or skip it altogether.

Fire danger also remains elevated across northern Arizona. Do your part to help prevent wildfires: avoid tossing cigarettes out the window, make sure trailer chains aren’t dragging if you’re hauling a boat or camper, and never park over dry grass.

Looking ahead, a low-pressure system over the western U.S. is lifting north, making way for high pressure to build in.

As that ridge strengthens, temperatures will climb — and so will moisture levels. Expect partly cloudy skies through the weekend.

Rain chances in the Valley stay at zero over the next seven days, but the heat will ramp up. Highs return to the 110s as we move past the Fourth of July.