Analysis of the impact of a wildfire in Eastern Córdoba Province on regional air quality by WRF-Chem

Abstract

Wildfires in the province of Córdoba constitute severe events of atmospheric pollutant emissions, compromising regional air quality. This study evaluates the impact of an August 2025 wildfire in the eastern part of the province. The burned area was delineated by integrating remote sensing data (MODIS, GOES-19, and Sentinel-2P), and pollutant dispersion—using carbon monoxide (CO) as a tracer—was simulated using the WRF-Chem model. The model acceptably reproduced atmospheric dynamics (r ∿ 0,4) with a 27% bias, which is adequate for an exploratory diagnosis. Results indicated that the plume extended westward, disturbing regional air quality and affecting the departments of Río Primero, Colón, and Capital. In rural locations along the direct trajectory of the plume, hourly CO peaks ranged between 0.21 and 0.60 ppm, representing increases of up to 567% over background levels (0.08–0.09 ppm). In Córdoba City, although the average concentration was not altered (0.24 ppm), the plume broadened daily cumulative exposure. It is concluded that modeling proved to be a key tool for regional atmospheric risk management.