Madrid adapts its habits because of smoke and poor air quality

The health authorities recommend using an FFP2 mask and protective glasses if you need to stay outdoors. The warning applies to the whole of the Comunidad de Madrid, where the presence of fine particles in the air has worsened air quality.

Indoors, the advice is to keep doors and windows closed and avoid ventilating while the episode continues. Those using air conditioning should, when possible, activate the recirculation mode to prevent outside air from coming in.

Precautions are especially important for children, older people, and patients with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. It is also advisable to watch for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent cough, or a feeling of breathlessness, and to seek medical attention if they appear.

The alert also affects usual summer plans. Running, going for long walks, training in parks, or spending the afternoon on terraces is no longer recommended while smoke continues to cover part of the region.

On the streets, masks have once again become part of the landscape, especially among those who work outdoors or need to cross the city on foot. Some families have also reduced outings with children and pets to limit exposure.

Air quality monitoring stations allow people to track the evolution of the particles and check when conditions begin to improve. Until then, the scene is one of a city with fewer open windows, less outdoor activity, and special attention to those who are most affected by the polluted air.