NASA Worldview snapshot over Mexico on May 12, 2019, red dots indicating active fires.
MEXICO CITY — Arizona is not the only place being affected by serious ozone levels. As hundreds of fires and high temperatures hit southern Mexico, the air quality is getting worse in cities like the capital, where many citizens are growing concerned.
Foggy views and smokey smells have dominated Mexico City during the past few days. About 200 fires have directly affected the city and its outskirts, and that doesn't include fires happening in other states.
Many worry about health issues, as Mexico City government’s contingency plan is not restricting vehicles and still allows children to go to school. The plan at this point is only providing general recommendations, such as to avoid exercising outside or cooking with wood.
“This is a chronic problem,” said Pablo Ramírez, an air quality campaigner for Greenpeace Mexico. He says Mexico City has been dealing with intense air pollution for decades, but the current fires make things worse.
Ramírez explained the increase of toxic microscopic particles is concerning, but the levels registered are not enough to call for an emergency under current regulations.
“If we don’t solve this problem, we will have air pollution problems for more time,” Ramírez said.
The environmentalist says Mexico City needs to improve its mobility systems and regulations to reduce air pollution.
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