For the second consecutive day, much of Galicia, including the northern Atlantic coast of the community, has been shrouded in a hazy sky, filled with the smell of smoke. Poor air quality has led to warnings being issued at over half a dozen monitoring points, particularly affecting Vigo and its surrounding areas, as the contaminated smoke is coming directly from the wildfires ravaging Portugal. The government of Galicia has advised residents to avoid outdoor activities, especially intense sports, to close doors and windows, and to keep indoor environments humid. Many residents have begun to wear masks again, reminiscent of the pandemic era. Monitoring stations in Vigo, such as those in the Coia neighborhood and near the Stellantis factory, have reported “very poor” air quality due to high concentrations of contaminating particles related to the wildfires, as have other stations in the region.
The sky, which was smoky in the Santiago region on Wednesday, remained opaque on Thursday in A Coruña and neighboring municipalities. While some areas such as Pontevedra and Ourense had stations with “fair” air quality, most of the region still showed “favorable” or “good” results, although there are concerns about an impending worsening of the situation due to an incoming mass of African air that is expected to increase suspended particles. MeteoGalicia and the Xunta’s Health Department have issued recommendations to protect the population’s health, with many educational institutions already heeding the advice by cancelling outdoor activities and sports. Residents are advised to keep doors and windows closed, stay in humid environments, and stay hydrated, especially for those at greater risk.
MeteoGalicia explains that the size of particles (PM) determines the health hazards of dust. Particles of 10 microns (PM10) can cause irritation in the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat, while smaller particles of 2.5 microns have the ability to enter the lungs and bloodstream, potentially leading to breathing issues, coughing, heart palpitations, or fatigue. In areas surrounding stations with “very poor” air quality due to PM2.5 particles, it is considered a public health emergency that could seriously affect the entire population. Beyond the “very poor” quality level, there is a category labeled as “terrible” that has not been observed in any Galician station.
Meanwhile, as Portugal battles devastating wildfires that have already claimed lives, Galicia is also grappling with fires in all four provinces. This week, around 500 hectares of land have been destroyed by fires in municipalities such as A Gudiña, Chandrexa de Queixa, Cerdedo Cotobade, Palas de Rei, and Toques. The close proximity of these events is causing great concern among residents, who are urged to stay informed and take precautions as the situation develops. Subscribe to stay updated on the latest developments.
