By Yaritza Mojica

Another fire in Cerro Patacón; toxic smoke affects workers waiting in line to unload waste
Firefighters continue extinguishing operations at the Cerro Patacón landfill.

The Panama Fire Department (CBP) confirmed that a second fire occurred in Cerro Patacón in less than a week, originating in a grassy area at the base of the landfill.

Ángel Delgado, lieutenant colonel of the CBP, reported that this fire, which started yesterday afternoon, is already being controlled by firefighters. It was not very extensive; however, there are still some hot spots where smoke is emanating.

Since the early hours of Friday morning, March 15, sanitation workers operating waste collection trucks have complained about the queue they have been forced to make to enter the landfill, inhaling the toxic smoke still emanating from Cerro Patacón.

Jenny Carrión, spokesperson for the Revisalud workers (Recicladora Vida y Salud, S.A.), explained that there is a group of drivers who have been waiting since Thursday night to deposit the waste. However, the “improvised” landfill is no longer operational. Another fire occurred at the landfill yesterday, and they are being held up from entering the area known as “La Pesa.”

Carrión pointed out that the drivers are in vehicles that do not have air conditioning and, therefore, must wait with the windows down, breathing the toxic smoke coming from the landfill. “There are videos of colleagues filing complaints, breathing that smoke that affects their health and lungs without any protection,” she warned.

At the moment, firefighters continue extinguishing operations, which are 80% complete, attacking with foam concentrate, removing and filling with soil to smother the fire. Additionally, they remain vigilant for any situation at Cerro Patacón.

Reference