By Getzalette Reyes

Emergency on Patacón Hill: Fire Control Approaches 80%
Smoke from the fire on Patacón Hill, visible from the Centenario Highway. LP Alexander Arosemena

In the last few hours, firefighters have continued working on the process of removal, cooling, and dumping of soil to “smother the fire” at the Patacón landfill, located in the Ancón district.

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This was announced Monday morning, March 18, by Ángel Delgado, lieutenant colonel of the Panama Fire Department (CBP).

Delgado detailed that this new fire on Patacón Hill, reported last Friday, is controlled between 70% and 80%.

The official explained that there are more than 35 units working on these tasks, using fire extinguishing trucks and tanker vehicles. Delgado said that for this Monday, they expect to increase the number of dump trucks to bring more soil to the hill, which covers 162 hectares.

Due to this new fire in the landfill, the Panama Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology has issued a notice of surveillance for pollution and smoke dispersion in Panama City, San Miguelito, the Gulf of Panama, and Arraiján.

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