Landfill fires surge: 650+ dumps burn, health threat looms
Landfills pose a real and imminent fire hazard, specialists warn, as an increasing number of dumpsites have caught fire recently in Moldova.
Statistical data indicate that over 650 landfill fires have been recorded nationwide since the beginning of July. These fires have affected an area of approximately 115 hectares.
According to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), landfill fires largely occur due to the irresponsibility of their managers and the authorities in charge of the sites.
In most cases, waste fires result from chemical processes that generate heat, as well as the decomposition of waste. These processes lead to the production of methane, which is a flammable gas.
Additionally, sweltering weather and high temperatures combined with flammable materials substantially increase the risk of fires.
Moreover, the possibility of intentionally caused fires cannot be ruled out, especially in the case of unauthorized dumpsites that lack supervision.
"Landfill fires are not just an environmental issue; they also pose a threat to public health. The dense and toxic smoke resulting from waste burning severely impacts air quality. Fire prevention relies on both authorities and active citizen involvement. Therefore, we urge both authorities and citizens to fully embrace their responsibility," IGSU stated.
To prevent potential ignition sources, rescuers recommend that landfills be capped with soil or clay to reduce oxygen access and minimize the risk of spontaneous combustion. Waste sites must be strictly monitored by managers.
Since the beginning of this year, over 106,600 individuals have been trained, and approximately 4,000 managers responsible for waste sites were issued warnings.
During this period, local council meetings were held, where proposals regarding fire risk minimization measures were put forward. Authorities have created joint groups and drawn up over 250 violation reports, and individuals found guilty of causing these fires have been fined.
It's worth noting that meteorologists had forecast scorching weather for Thursday, July 24, in the central and southern regions of the country, with temperatures exceeding 33 degrees Celsius.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
