Mexico is currently grappling with 159 active wildfires raging across the country amidst the second heatwave of the year, which is also putting immense pressure on the nation’s power grid.
The national weather service has issued an alert for at least 12 states, predicting temperatures exceeding 45°C (113°F), with much of the rest of the country expecting temperatures above 30°C.
This surge in heat has led to a spike in power demand, prompting the country’s grid operator to declare a state of emergency for the second time this week on
Thursday evening due to insufficient power levels.
A state of alert was also declared by operator Cenace on Wednesday. Mexico’s national forest commission (Conafor) reported that the wildfires have affected 75,474 hectares (186,500 acres), with 30 fires occurring in protected natural areas.
According to reports, Mexico City and other regions have experienced blackouts, while some schools have closed due to high temperatures, particularly in areas like San Luis Potosi. Parts of the country are also facing drought conditions, resulting in intermittent water supply in the capital's surrounding metropolis, which is home to approximately 20 million people.