Environmental Alert Declared
The Metropolitan Presidential Delegation has declared an Environmental Alert for Tuesday, June 2, 2026. This preventive measure, recommended by the Regional Ministerial Secretariat (Seremi) for the Environment, aims to protect public health following a weather forecast that anticipates poor pollutant dispersion across the Santiago basin.
According to reports from the Delegation, the situation is caused by a weakened surface anticyclonic regime and an approaching upper-level trough. While air quality monitoring stations recorded 'Fair' to 'Good' levels on Monday, June 1, authorities are taking these steps to prevent conditions from deteriorating further.
Vehicle Restrictions
The vehicle restriction will be in effect from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM throughout the province of Santiago, as well as the communes of San Bernardo and Puente Alto. For vehicles with a 'green seal' registered before September 1, 2011, the restriction applies to license plates ending in 0 and 1. The same digits apply to motorcycles registered before September 1, 2010.
Regulations are stricter for vehicles without a green seal. Within the Américo Vespucio ring road, the restriction applies to all license plate digits (0-9), while outside that area, it affects plates ending in 0, 1, 2, and 3. The Ministry of Transport warned that non-compliance is considered a serious offense, punishable by fines ranging from 1 to 1.5 UTM (approximately $68,600 to $103,000 CLP), as determined by the Local Police Court.
Heating and Agricultural Burn Bans
Authorities have emphasized a total ban on the use of wood-burning heaters and wood-derived fuels throughout the Metropolitan Region, with the exception of pellet-burning stoves. The Seremi of Health, in coordination with local municipalities and the Carabineros police force, will enforce this measure. Citizens can report illegal wood burning by calling 600 360 7777.
Additionally, the ban on agricultural burning remains in effect across the entire region, a measure that runs from March 1 to October 31. Enforcement is coordinated by the Seremi of Agriculture alongside the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) and the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF). Infractions can be reported by calling 130.
Exemptions and Enforcement
Electric and hybrid vehicles, cargo trucks, school transport, emergency vehicles, and those used to transport individuals with disabilities or conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are exempt from the vehicle restrictions. Compliance will be monitored by the Carabineros and the Ministry of Transport’s inspection unit, supported by the capital's network of surveillance cameras.
