La Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Vivienda y Ordenación del Territorio recommends taking precautionary measures in light of the continued prediction of high concentrations of dust particles in the air from North Africa that began on Monday, June 16th, and will extend at least until Wednesday, June 25th, throughout the territory of Castilla y León. It is advised to avoid activities that involve physical exertion for at-risk groups and sensitive individuals, as well as outdoor burning of plant debris.
June 23, 2025
Castilla y León |
Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Vivienda y Ordenación del Territorio
Prediction models announce the intrusion of dust particles from North Africa that are expected to cause an increase in measured levels of these substances in the air that began on Monday, June 16th, and will extend at least until Wednesday, June 25th, throughout the territory of Castilla y León. This is a completely natural process over which there is no human intervention, except for taking precautions to minimize exposure to these particles.
This alert is predictive, as the information is available through air quality models for PM10 particles (particles smaller than 10 microns). The prediction indicates that levels may reach values above 50 μg/m3 as a 24-hour moving average, determining very unfavorable air quality.
Although Air Quality regulations in Spain and Europe do not establish an information threshold for this pollutant, the Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Vivienda y Ordenación del Territorio, in an effort to minimize the impact of these particles, recommends:
- If levels are not very high (up to regular): for the general population, although the expected air quality in these hours may not affect them, it may present a moderate problem for at-risk groups and sensitive individuals. Therefore, it is recommended to enjoy outdoor activities normally, but monitoring for symptoms such as cough, throat irritation, shortness of breath, excessive fatigue, or palpitations.
- If levels are higher (>regular), individuals in at-risk groups and sensitive individuals with conditions such as cardiorespiratory diseases or severe allergies should consider reducing prolonged and vigorous outdoor activities. People with asthma or respiratory diseases should carefully follow their medication plan. Those with heart problems may experience palpitations, difficulty breathing, or unusual fatigue.
- Since the magnitude of the intrusion will vary depending on the time of day and in the coming days, it is recommended that anyone planning outdoor activities check the air quality in their area by accessing the websites indicated below.
Additionally, it is also recommended to avoid actions such as outdoor burning of plant debris and, in general, any activity that may emit particles in order to minimize the effects of this episode.
The Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Vivienda y Ordenación del Territorio will monitor this episode, and real-time air quality data for the region can be accessed at: