Tempe This Week Dec. 22, 2025

One impact people may not realize is that consumer fireworks can affect air quality, especially during the winter months. Fireworks release fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, and winter temperature inversions can trap smoke and pollution close to the ground, allowing it to linger in the air we breathe. Regional air quality organizations, including the Maricopa Association of Governments, have identified consumer fireworks as a major contributor to poor air quality around New Year's.

Loud fireworks can also cause stress for pets and for people in the community, so residents are encouraged to be considerate neighbors as they celebrate. If people do choose to use fireworks, consumer, ground-based fireworks are allowed in Tempe from Dec. 26 - Jan. 4.

Legal fireworks include sparkler fountains, ground-based sparklers and sparkling wheel devices. Fireworks that shoot into the air or explode, like Roman candles, sky rockets, firecrackers and bottle rockets, are not legal in Arizona.

For safety, used fireworks should be fully submerged in water to make sure they're completely out before being thrown away.