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15h ago

Extreme Heat and Air Quality Alerts Keep Southwest Residents Indoors

Health officials warn that vulnerable populations face serious risks under record heat coupled with poor air quality.

File photo: a weather heat advisory on a message board.
Image
A map of air quality in California, New Mexico, and Arizona, from AirNow, on June 18, 2025.

Overview

  • The Environmental Protection Agency and National Weather Service have issued severe air quality alerts across California, Arizona and New Mexico, urging residents to stay indoors and reduce exposure to fine particulate pollution.
  • The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality warned Phoenix metro residents of hazardous conditions as temperatures are forecast to exceed 110°F statewide.
  • Extreme heat warnings remain in effect through Friday in Arizona and Nevada, with National Weather Service officials advising parents not to leave children or pets in vehicles.
  • Maricopa County has opened public cooling centers and directed residents to dial 211 for information on shelter locations, transportation and water services.
  • Experts from the CDC and Queen Mary University of London link extreme heat combined with poor air quality to heightened respiratory and cardiovascular risks, and officials expect conditions to ease by the weekend.