Baja California suspends in-person classes due to extreme heat

Baja California authorities have suspended in-person classes for all public education levels due to an extreme heat wave. Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda announced that starting the afternoon of Wednesday, September 9, and continuing through Friday, September 11, students will transition to remote learning to protect their health.

The measure follows meteorological forecasts predicting temperatures exceeding 46 degrees Celsius in regions like Mexicali, with some areas potentially reaching 50 degrees. The extreme heat has already been linked to 56 heat-related deaths in the state this year, according to the Forensic Medical Service (SEMEFO).

While public schools will move to a distance learning model, private institutions are responsible for determining their own academic modalities. To support the population, the state has activated municipal and state shelters in Mexicali and provided hydration points to mitigate the risks of dehydration and heatstroke.