'No Burn Day' on New Year's Eve in Phoenix area The state Department of Environmental Quality bans fireplace and other burning on New Year's Eve in metro Phoenix Check out this story on azcentral.com: http://azc.cc/1OsRJKS The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality announced that Thursday, New Year's Eve, will be a No Burn Day in Maricopa County, saying residents should avoid wood-burning in fireplaces or stoves.. The restrictions are intended to reduce PM-2.5, or particulate matter, in the air that is caused by dust and combustion from automobiles, industry or wood burning.