A forest fire in the Roca de Venados area, Mascota, in the Costa-Sierra Madre Occidental region has triggered an atmospheric alert and the suspension of classes in this municipality, as well as the suspension of outdoor activities in Talpa de Allende. The Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development (Semdet), in coordination with the Jalisco Ministry of Education, has decided to suspend in-person classes in the schools of Mascota and in the affected towns of the same municipality until further notice.
The forest fire has affected 10 localities in Mascota, including the Municipal Head and towns such as Yerbabuena, San José, San Luis, Cimarrón Chico, Cruz Verde, Tecuani, Los Zapotes, Las Mesitas, Los Sauces, and Guayabitos. Meanwhile, in Talpa de Allende, outdoor activities in educational institutions will remain suspended while the Atmospheric Alert is active.
The Atmospheric Emergency will last until the smoke disperses in the affected areas, while the Atmospheric Alert will remain active until the fire is completely extinguished. The population is urged to avoid outdoor activities, keep doors and windows closed to reduce exposure to smoke, wear masks when going outside, stay informed through official information, and follow the authorities' instructions.
The activation of the Atmospheric Emergency has occurred due to current atmospheric conditions and the presence of smoke in areas near Mascota, posing a health risk to the local population. Citizens are recommended to stay informed through the official channels of the agency for updates on the resumption of activities in educational institutions.
Additionally, it is advised to check real-time air quality and follow the status of poor air quality episodes on the respective channels. The priority is to safeguard the health of the population and control the situation to avoid further complications caused by the forest fire in the region.