Firefighters Fight Persistent Landfill Fire Near Kazakhstan’s Almaty

Firefighters are continuing their determined efforts to extinguish a persistent fire at a municipal solid waste landfill near Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The blaze, which initially broke out on the morning of September 15, has proven challenging to control, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

To ensure a steady supply of water, firefighting teams are sourcing water from three different locations, maintaining round-the-clock operations aimed at containing and fully extinguishing the fire.

In response to the severity of the situation, a state of emergency was declared on September 18 in the nearby town of Alatau, located approximately 47 kilometers from Almaty. Emergency response teams are utilizing a technique involving the backfilling of burning areas with inert materials, followed by soil compaction. This method cuts off the oxygen supply to the smoldering sections of the landfill, helping to suppress the fire completely.

Authorities remain vigilant as the firefighting efforts continue, prioritizing public safety and environmental protection in the region.