The forest fire that erupted late on Tuesday in Tenerife has led to a deterioration in air quality across the municipalities of Güímar, Arafo, Candelaria, and El Rosario. This information comes from the Directorate General for Emergencies of the Canary Islands Government, which has issued a set of guidelines for individuals who might be affected by this situation.
These recommendations are being provided due to the potential risk posed by the forest fire’s smoke, which consists of a combination of gases and fine particles resulting from the burning of vegetation and other materials.
AIR QUALITY: VULNERABLE GROUPS
- Individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
- Children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
- People engaging in strenuous physical activities.
LIKELY SYMPTOMS
- Coughing, eye, nose, or throat irritation.
- Difficulty in deep breathing, chest discomfort, palpitations, fatigue.
- Aggravation of symptoms in individuals with previous respiratory or heart conditions.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AFFECTED POPULATION
- Minimize outdoor activities and avoid engaging in intense or prolonged physical exertion.
- Keep doors and windows closed. If air conditioning is available, use the recirculation mode with clean filters.
- When outdoors, consider using an FFP2 mask to reduce the risk of respiratory issues and protect the eyes. Wash your eyes if necessary.
