In your video player: Williams fire on Monday

Tucson, Arizona (KGUN) — Wet winters can lead to active wildfires as the grass begins to dry out, creating a natural fuel bed for wildfires.

Air quality is poor and foggy around southeastern Arizona as the Williams Fire sparked in Palominas on Monday. Most people want to minimize the amount of time they spend outdoors in these situations, keeping their windows closed and being careful not to allow outside air to circulate inside their homes or cars.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) dictates that the 5-3-1 rule be used to determine air quality when information from the Air Quality Index is not available. ADEQ, turn your back to the sun and see how far you can see:

• Visibility at 5 miles
  • If visibility is less than 5 miles, air quality is considered unhealthy for young children, adults over 65, pregnant women, and people with heart or respiratory disease.
  • Minimize or cancel outdoor activities for these at-risk groups.
  • Adults without health concerns should be fine outdoors, but should reduce strenuous activity and continue to monitor visibility.
• Visibility at 3 miles
  • If visibility is less than 3 miles, at-risk groups as defined above should stay indoors and not go outdoors, even on errands.
  • All outdoor recreational activities should be discontinued, regardless of age or health.
• Visibility at 1 Mile
  • When visibility is less than 1 mile, ADEQ says air quality is unhealthy for everyone.
  • Regardless of age or health, everyone should stay indoors as much as possible, unless there is an evacuation order.

ADEQ advises that if you feel you may be experiencing health effects as a result of exposure to smoke inhalation, reduce your outdoor exposure and consult a medical professional if necessary. .
More information from ADEQ is available online in the brochure.fire, smoke, healthavailable for download from the Cochise County website.