An extensive layer of smoke from forest fires The northwestern peninsula has been felt in large areas of Spain and northern Portugal, with whitish skies, cloudy sun and episodes of degraded air quality in areas close to the outbreaks. Images from AEMET and Copernicus satellite They clearly show the plume and its evolution throughout the day.
The impact is uneven: while in León, Ourense and nearby regions Peaks of particles and even ash fall have been recorded, in the Valencian Community the smoke circulates through middle and upper layers, without odor or significant loss of visibility at ground level. It also mixes with the environment, saharan dust, accentuating the milky appearance of the sky in several areas.
What's happening with the smoke?
The persistence of numerous Fires in Galicia, Castile and León, and northern and central Portugal is feeding a plume of smoke that moves with the prevailing winds. Remote sensors of Copernicus and remote sensing of the NASA have made it possible to visualize the magnitude of the episode, with plumes extending hundreds of kilometers.
In Portugal, the smoke buildup It has been especially dense in areas of Guarda and Sátão, with reference foci in Trancoso, Arganil and Freixo de Espada à CintaIn these areas, the plume has not dissipated for hours, complicating work on the fire front and causing permanently cloudy skies.
According to AEMET, at noon the smoke was moving north and east and, upon reaching the Mediterranean coast, described a turn southThis circulation at altitude explains why, in places like Valencia or Castellón, the phenomenon has not been translated in odor or loss of visibility at ground level.
Most affected regions and air situation
En Castilla y Leon, the Board has issued notices for poor air quality associated with smoke, with special incidence in the bierzo and areas near active fires. The Autonomous Control Network has detected elevated levels of suspended particles, so it is recommended to reduce strenuous outdoor physical activities and monitor the situation in real time through official platforms.
En Galicia, the city of Ourense and part of its province have woken up under sky covered by smoke, with periods of reddened sun and light ash rain. MeteoGalicia data reflect episodes of very poor air quality in areas close to the outbreaks. In Lugo, the Fingoi station indicated values above normal, without reaching levels of generalized risk, although caution is recommended for sensitive individuals.
At Valencia, AEMET confirmed the arrival of the plume at altitude, darkening the sky without significantly affecting horizontal visibility or producing an odor. The simultaneous presence of haze It reinforces the whitish tone, but the impact on the surface has been limited in most of the territory.
En Catalonia, regions of Lleida have reported a "cloudy" atmosphere due to smoke, with the sun's disk partially hidden. This veil at altitude may have slightly temper the maxims at some points, by reducing direct radiation.
Operational impact: extinction flights and visibility
El persistent smoke has complicated the intervention of aerial resources on several fronts, especially in northern Portugal. According to Civil Protection authorities, the lack of plume dispersion prevented normal operations and forced the rethinking of air support missions.
The impact on visibility, however, has been highly variable: in Valencia and Castellón, where the smoke circulated at height, the horizontal visibility remained reasonable, while in areas of Ourense and León The reddened sun and episodes of ash were perceived, with a feeling of embarrassment due to the combination of heat, wind and particles.
Health and protection recommendations
Health and regional emergencies have released guidelines to minimize risks smoke inhalation, with special attention to vulnerable population (children, pregnant women, people with asthma, COPD, or heart disease). These are easy-to-implement and proven effective preventive measures during these episodes.
- Reduce exposure: Limit strenuous outdoor physical activities and stay indoors as much as possible.
- If you go out, use FFP2These masks filter out a large portion of particles; wear them with goggles to avoid eye irritation.
- Keep indoor air clean: close doors and windows; if you use air conditioning, turn on the recirculation and uses high-efficiency filters.
- Avoid sources of contamination at home: do not smoke or light candles; a portable purifier can help in closed rooms.
- Ash cleaning: protect yourself with gloves, long sleeves, a mask and glasses; wash the skin if there is direct contact.
- Check the air quality in real time on your community's portals, MeteoGalicia, the Junta de Castilla y León, MITECO, or the AEMA, and follow the 112 alerts.
How it evolves and what to expect in the coming hours
La intensity of the episode will depend on the evolution of the outbreaks and the weather; wind, atmospheric stability and the presence of Saharan dust determine the concentration of PM10 and PM2,5Values can fluctuate over time and change rapidly between municipalities.
While large fires remain active and weather conditions favor the transport of particles, the smoke will continue to travel long distance. It is advisable to regularly review official measurements and adjust daily activity accordingly. air quality levels in each area.
The current situation shows how the smoke from forest fires It can transform a local problem into a regional phenomenon, affecting skies hundreds of kilometers away and generating variable air quality conditions that complicate firefighting efforts. With accurate information and simple protective measures, exposure can be reduced and risks mitigated in these circumstances.
