Residents in Lautoka are concerned about thick smoke from the Vunato Rubbish Dump, with the Lautoka City Council saying it is working to contain the fire, which has been burning since Sunday.
Speaking to fijivillage News, a resident says the smoke has been spreading into surrounding areas, with some people experiencing breathing difficulties.
The resident says the burning has been ongoing since Sunday and that similar incidents occur at the dump around the same time every year.
Residents are calling for immediate action to stop the burning and prevent further smoke from affecting nearby communities.
Meanwhile, Lautoka City Council says the fire was deliberately set by individuals who illegally access the dump after hours to collect scrap metal.
The Council says it immediately mobilised resources to contain the fire and called the National Fire Authority for assistance, with two NFA trucks providing support for about three hours.
It says windy conditions and a prolonged spell of dry weather caused the fire to spread quickly to another section of the landfill.
The Council says two water-carting trucks are continuously refilling from Waiyavi Creek, while two pumps have been deployed to draw water from nearby canals.
It says 12 staff members are working in shifts of 10 to 12 hours around the clock to prevent the fire from spreading to the other three sections of the landfill and to control the smoke.
The Council acknowledges that smoke is affecting the whole city and nearby areas, with its spread depending on wind direction.
It says landfill fires are difficult to control because of the underground layers of aged rubbish and that it may take some time before the fire is fully brought under control.
The Council also says late notification from security personnel on duty was the main reason it and the NFA could not control the fire in a timely manner.
It says three smaller fires occurred at the landfill in recent months and were extinguished within two to three hours through joint efforts with the NFA following timely alerts from security personnel.
Residents are being advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities in affected areas, wear face masks outdoors, stay hydrated and remain indoors with windows closed where possible.
The Council also advises residents to move away from the direction of the smoke where possible and seek medical attention if they experience breathing difficulties or other symptoms.
The Council says it has invested in firefighting equipment and 24-hour security, but monitoring the entire 45-acre landfill remains a challenge, particularly at night. It says security measures will be strengthened to address unauthorised access.
fijivillage News has sent questions to the National Fire Authority.
