Air quality likely to suffer, as the agricultural burning season starts
Agricultural burning season in Yucatán is set to begin on March 1.
Controlled agricultural fires in Yucatán are regulated by the state’s rural development agency and are only allowed between 5:00 PM and 8:00 AM.
These types of fires are a common sight in Yucatán during the spring, but sometimes they do rage out of control.
Smoke from the fires can often reach cities such as Mérida and Valladolid, severely impacting air quality.
The public is encouraged to call 911 to report fires that have exceeded their boundaries or pose a danger to people, livestock, or property.
State authorities have informed that they have 150 firefighters on standby in case they are needed.
Farmers in many parts of the world set fire to cultivated fields to clear stubble, weeds, and waste before sowing a new crop.
Critics of the practice argue that although it is fast and cheap, it is not sustainable as it produces large amounts of particle pollutants and can over time reduce the fertility of the soil.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer, adventure leader, and PhD candidate. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds multimedia, philosophy, and translation degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.
