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The measure results from the forest fires affecting the central part of the country. A dense cloud of smoke covers the entire capital.
The health alert declared in Santiago by the authorities of the Metropolitan Region implies the suspension of all physical activity, particularly in educational establishments, according to the regional ministerial secretary of Health, Gonzalo Soto.
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The presidential delegate for the Metropolitan Region, Constanza Martinez, warned "all the risk group, whether they are minors, elderly, people with heart or respiratory conditions, avoid exposure to smoke, use masks as far as possible."
According to former environment minister Marcelo Mena, air quality standards have to do with 24-hour average concentrations. During the night and Friday morning, concentrations in Santiago were "as high as the worst days of winter," with 200 micrograms of particulate matter, said Mena.
The former minister was concerned about the risk of reaching "an environmental pre-emergency, as happened in 2014 with the forest fires." In this sense, he alerted the population about exposure: "When smelling smoke, it is advisable to wear a mask."
Delegada presidencial @contimartinez informa que se declara Alerta de Riesgo Sanitario en la Región Metropolitana. Se recomienda tomar actitudes preventivas, evitar exposición al humo en población de riesgo y no hacer actividades deportivas. Se mantendrá un monitoreo permanente.
— Delegación Presidencial Regional Metropolitana (@DPR_RM) December 16, 2022
Presidential Delegate Constanza Martinez informs that a Health Risk Alert has been declared in the Metropolitan Region. It is recommended to take preventive attitudes, avoid exposure to smoke in population at risk and not to do sports activities. Permanent monitoring will be maintained.
According to the National Emergency Office of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Safety, the country reports a total of 97 forest fires nationwide. Six are in process, one is under observation, 18 are in combat and 48 are under control.
This situation occurs in a context of high temperatures in Chile. The 36.7 °C recorded this Thursday at the Quinta Normal station marks the third-highest temperature for a month of December in 110 years and the highest heat record this year for the capital city.
Chile's National Forestry Corporation claims that 99 percent of the country's forest fires are caused by people, either accidentally or intentionally.
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