Three-Hectare Landfill Fire Extinguished in Astana

A fire broke out at a solid waste landfill in Astana’s Baikonur district, along Alash Highway, on July 10. Thick smoke complicated efforts to extinguish the blaze. The accumulated waste was also loose and unstable, making it difficult for firefighters and support vehicles to move around the site and reposition water-supply equipment, Orda.kz reports.

Crews from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and local authorities fought the fire around the clock, while an emergency command centre was established to coordinate the response. Inert material was brought to the landfill and spread across the site to contain hotspots and prevent the fire from spreading.

Video: Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan

It was not until the evening of July 12 that the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that the fire had been fully extinguished. Approximately 15,000 tonnes of inert material were brought to the landfill and used to cover almost the entire site.

The fire affected a total area of three hectares.

Original author: Oksana Matviyenko

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