This Monday's dawn left a hazy atmosphere in La Plana, with a strong smell of fire in many municipalities. The cause of this meteorological phenomenon is the wind stopping, which caused the smoke to descend over the area.
Air quality has plummeted, reaching 200 AQI points in Benicàssim early in the morning, according to Avamet data. Around ten o'clock, the figure was 89 points, described as "extremely bad".
The density of the dark fog laden with particles is greater the closer one is to the fire's perimeter, affecting municipalities such as Vall d'Uixó, la Vilavella, Onda, or Nules, where some residents use masks in the street.
The wind, which dictates the fire's dynamics, has changed. While on Sunday the southerly wind at altitude moved the smoke away, this morning, as it calmed down, the smoke descended over La Plana. This predictable event was intensified by the large amount of material burned on Sunday.
This new scenario, with no visible smoke columns, may give a false sense of control. However, Avamet explains that the lack of oxygen and excess CO2 and particles reduce the combustion's strength, but the forecast of southerly winds could re-ignite the fire.
Meanwhile, extinction services have an opportunity to gain ground on the fire. Meteorology is key to planning operations, and the forecast of the wind stopping justifies the maintained evacuations and confinements. They warn that smoke particles are heavy and being in that environment is dangerous.
