Mexicali Air Quality Alert Prompts Preventive Measures

The Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable (SMADS) of Baja California declared a pre‑contingency/alert phase for PM10 particles in Mexicali. The agency urged residents to adopt protective actions to safeguard public health, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with pre‑existing conditions.

Recommended measures include wearing masks outdoors, staying indoors, keeping doors and windows closed, avoiding outdoor exercise or recreation, and relocating susceptible individuals to safe indoor spaces. To reduce emissions, SMADS called for reduced private vehicle use, increased car‑pooling or public transport, immediate reporting of fires, and a ban on fireworks, open fires, and the burning of waste, agricultural or forest material. Authorities also advised wetting exposed surfaces and enforcing penalties on visibly polluting vehicles.