Canary Islands government issues pre‑alert over dust haze, with Fuerteventura hardest hit

The Canary Islands Government has declared a pre‑alert situation for Saharan dust across the entire archipelago, forecasting a particularly strong impact on Fuerteventura because of its direct exposure to airborne dust from the Sahara. The measure, adopted by the Directorate General for Emergencies based on information from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), took effect at 06:00 h on Monday under the Canary Islands Specific Emergency Plan for Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA).

Forecast for Fuerteventura

For Fuerteventura, authorities expect a significant rise in suspended dust, especially in interior areas and mid‑altitude zones. Concentrations could reach 50 to 200 µg per cubic metre, with higher peaks possible at certain moments of the episode.

In addition to degrading air quality, the dust may cause reduced visibility, potentially affecting road traffic and airport operations if the phenomenon intensifies.

Recommendations for Residents

Health officials advise the island’s population—particularly people with respiratory problems, heart disease, asthma, or COPD—to adopt preventive measures:

• Avoid strenuous outdoor physical activity.
• Keep doors and windows closed.
• Wear a mask when outdoors if discomfort occurs.
• Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

Suspended dust can irritate the eyes and throat, cause coughing, fatigue, and worsen chronic respiratory conditions.

Monitoring the Situation

The Canary Islands Government will continuously monitor the episode and may adjust the alert level according to the evolving weather conditions.

Fuerteventura’s geographic location makes it one of the islands most exposed to such phenomena, which are part of the archipelago’s regular climate dynamics, although their intensity can vary considerably from one episode to another.