Moderators Moderator_03 Posted January 20 Moderators Share Posted January 20 Quote Patacon fire triggers pollution and smoke warning Posted 19/01/2024 A surveillance notice for pollution and smoke dispersion was issued Friday, January 19, by the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc), by the forecasts of the Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of Panama (Imhpa ). These are the areas that remain under notice: the City of Panama, Panama Bay, Arraijan, and Taboga Island. According to the Imhpa, smoke continues to emanate from the Cerro Patacón landfill as a result of a fire that occurred on the night of January 18, which is why air pollution is being generated. He added that the wind continues to vary from North-Northwest to North component, which is why the smoke plume continues to move towards the Capital City, Panama Bay, sectors of Arraiján, and probably the island of Taboga. Patacon fire triggers pollution and smoke warning Newsroom Panama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted January 20 Author Moderators Share Posted January 20 Quote Panama shrouded in toxic smoke from landfill fire Posted 19/01/2024 Panama City was shrouded in toxic smoke on Friday morning from a fire that started in the Cerro Patacón landfill at 6.30 the previous evening while 150 fire fighters battled through the night to control the flames. This would be the first fire on in 2024. Last year several fires generated pollution in various sectors of the capital. In 2023, 15 fires were reported in the largest landfill in the country. The areas near Patacón Hill, the Ricardo J. Alfaro road, and townships such as Betania were affected by smoke. Several people proceeded to use masks. Users on social networks also report that the smoke reaches areas such as Balboa Avenue, Cinta Costera, via Fernández de Córdoba, El Dorado, Calle 50, via España, El Cangrejo, San Miguelito, via Porras, among others. Even reports from people indicate that they perceive the smoke as far as the community of Veracruz, in the district of Arraiján, in Western Panama. Fire Department Major Ángel Delgado, told TVN Noticias, said that the fire moves easily due to the breeze in the area. Units from the Carrasquilla, Calidonia, and San Miguelito stations arrived at the site. The Ministry of Health urges the population to wear masks and visit the nearest facilities if they have any respiratory problems, itching, nausea, burning or other symptoms. Helicopters from the Aeronaval Service joined the extinguishing efforts this Friday morning with helicopters that launch special chemicals to stop the flames. According to the calculations made by Delgado, so far they have spent about $350,000 to combat this catastrophe. He did not rule out that after noon this figure could exceed half a million dollars. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-shrouded-in-toxic-smoke-from-landfill-fire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted January 21 Author Moderators Share Posted January 21 Quote Landfill crisis a time bomb for health and environment - SIP Posted 20/01/2024 The Industrial Union of Panama (SIP) questions the Government's delay in the bidding process to choose a new contractor to manage the Cerro Patacón landfill. According to the SIP, it has urged the authorities on multiple occasions to address this situation, “which we consider a time bomb with serious risks to human health and the environment.” The SIP highlighted that after the expiration of the contract with Urbalia, the management of Cerro Patacón remained in the hands of the Urban and Home Cleaning Authority (AAUD), while a new public tender was given. Subsequently, a State of Environmental Emergency was declared about the landfill in which the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Health, and the AAUD were instructed to adopt the necessary measures at an inter-institutional level to mitigate or restore the environmental disaster existing in this landfill. The SIP considers that "nine months later, the tender has not yet been issued, much less has the tender document been published for a new project to replace Cerro Patacón." The industrial union calls for a comprehensive national plan on waste management that must include a separation system at the source, effective collection mechanisms that can manipulate, divide, separate, and transport waste, proper waste management and disposal, among others. “A country cannot prosper under a constant threat like the one represented by the current system. The apathy and disinterest of the last administrations leave us with a palpable crisis that not only affects the surrounding communities but the entire city, as it puts health and the environment at risk. The SIP urges the authorities to face the challenge and involve all actors capable and willing to contribute to the solution of the problem. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/landfill-crisis-a-time-bomb-for-health-and-environment-sip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted January 23 Author Moderators Share Posted January 23 Quote Landfill fire will be extinguished by Wednesday – Fire chief Posted 22/01/2024 The fire at the Cerro Patacón landfill will be completely extinguished on Wednesday estimates the director of the Panama Fire Department, Ernesto De León, The fire in the capital city's landfill started Thursday, January 18, around 6:15 pm, and after more than 72 hours of work, efforts continue to extinguish the incident. “These are very complicated fires, they are landfill fires that usually take a special amount of time to extinguish in their entirety, we are almost always talking about several days. We estimate that between now and Wednesday it should be completely extinguished,” said De León in statements to TVN . De León explained that, even though the fire is extinguished, smoke will continue to emanate, which is why preventive measures must be taken. On Sunday afternoon, the Government reported that the fire had been 85% controlled at one of the points, which is known as "50th Street", while 100% at the tire depot. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/landfill-fire-will-be-extinguished-by-wednesday-fire-chief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted January 28 Author Moderators Share Posted January 28 Quote Nine days on - landfill fire sends toxic fumes over Panama City Posted 27/01/2024 Nine days after the start of the fire at the Cerro Patacón landfill the site in the town of Ancón, continues to emanate toxic smoke onSaturday, January 27, despite the efforts of the Panama Fire Department to fully control the fire. Panama’s Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Imhpa) maintains the surveillance notice for smoke dispersion in the metropolitan region in force for Saturday. According to the Imhpa, this situation maintains “air pollution in surrounding regions and along its path.” At the moment, firefighters are concentrating on completely extinguishing the fire in the sector known as Calle 50. They continue to use a cooling agent called F500 and spray foam on hot spots, which persist. They have also covered these fire spots with earth. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/nine-days-on-landfill-fire-sends-toxic-fumes-over-panama-city Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted January 31 Author Moderators Share Posted January 31 Quote Cerro Patacón landfill re-ignites Posted 29/01/2024 Less than 24 hours after the Panama Fire Department declared on Sunday that the fire in Cerro Patacón landfill, in Ancón had been 100% extinguished after 10 days of fighting the blaze the site has re-ignited and firefighters are carrying out their work to control the new emergency which is emanating toxic fumes. Residents of nearby communities have confirmed that a large amount of smoke is seen coming from the place. Information in development... https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/cerro-patacon-landfill-re-ignites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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