Everyone benefits from improving the quality of the air we breathe.

During Air Quality Advisory Season — from November 1 through March 1 — the City of Hillsboro, the City of Cornelius, and Washington County ask for your help to reduce air emissions of fine particulates, called PM 2.5, which can pose serious health concerns.

Outdoor Burning Prohibitions

Since November 2015, Hillsboro has prohibited burning yard debris on residential properties at all times, year round. This ban does not apply to recreational fires, such as backyard fire pits, chimineas, or barbecues.

Indoor Burning Restrictions

Between November 1 and March 1, Washington County issues a daily air quality advisory.

RED: Air quality is unhealthy. No fireplace or wood stove use, unless exempted.*

AIR QUALITY ALERT (formerly called Yellow Day):

Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Voluntary burn ban in effect.

GREEN: Air quality is healthy. No restrictions.

*Exempted from this indoor burning policy are:

• Pellet stoves
• Households experiencing an interruption in utility service (electricity and natural gas)
• Households that qualify as low-income
• Households with extended interruptions to their primary heating system (no more than 60 days)
• Households that rely on wood burning as their only heat source

Learn more about Burning and Air Quality