With the aim of protecting public health and creating safer communities, the Baja California government has launched the “Por un Aire Limpio” (For Clean Air) campaign. The initiative targets the reduction of high-pollution activities prevalent during the winter months, such as bonfires, waste burning, and fireworks.
“Through these actions, we are informing and raising awareness among citizens so they reduce emissions from their homes and communities. This is about promoting shared responsibility for caring for our environment and protecting our collective health,” Governor Marina del Pilar said.
The campaign addresses a predictable seasonal spike in air pollution, which peaks between November and February. This increase is driven by a combination of holiday traditions involving bonfires and fireworks, and specific meteorological conditions. The winter season often brings thermal inversions and weak winds, which trap pollutants close to the ground, leading to poorer air quality.
To maximize its reach, the campaign is a coordinated effort across all seven municipalities of Baja California. In partnership with the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development (SMADS), local governments are disseminating preventive information through their official channels and social media.
This effort aligns with the broader Management Program to Improve Air Quality (Proaire), which outlines long-term strategies to reduce contamination and encourage responsible public habits.
Mónica Vega Aguirre, head of SMADS, emphasized that this awareness campaign addresses the specific environmental challenges of winter, a period when health risks increase, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and people with respiratory illnesses.
A key addition to this year’s campaign is a new Mobile Air Quality Monitoring Station (EMMCA). This advanced tool will deploy to areas that previously lacked air quality data, providing critical information to help guide future public policies and targeted preventive actions for the environmental well-being of the state.
