Massive Fire at Nghe An Waste Dump Spreads to Protective Forest

A massive fire broke out on the afternoon of July 19 at the Nghi Yen waste dump, spanning over 50 hectares in Hai Loc village, Nghe An province. Fanned by strong winds, the blaze spread to a 7-8 year-old pine protective forest approximately 100 meters away. The fire is believed to have started from within the waste dump around 1:00 PM. Due to the large amount of household waste, plastic, and flammable materials, the fire spread rapidly, generating black smoke plumes tens of meters high. According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thi, Chairman of the Hai Loc Village People's Committee, while local forces were attempting to control the fire at the dump, embers carried by the wind crossed the perimeter wall and fell into the protective pine forest, igniting a secondary blaze. The forest is situated on steep hillsides, making firefighting efforts challenging. Approximately 400 personnel, including firefighters, forest rangers, military personnel, militiamen, and local residents, along with six specialized vehicles, were mobilized. However, due to the difficult terrain, vehicles could only access the foot of the mountain, and efforts were concentrated on controlling the fire at the waste dump. On the hillsides, functional units established firebreaks to prevent further spread. Smoke from both fires blanketed the area and reached National Highway 1 and nearby residential areas. Some residents reported a strong, acrid smell causing difficulty breathing, prompting temporary evacuation from their homes. By around 8:00 PM the same day, the fire in the protective forest was largely under control. The extent of the damage has not yet been quantified. Authorities continue to monitor the site to prevent any resurgence of the fire. At the Nghi Yen waste dump, several points continue to smolder. Nghe An Urban Environment and Construction Joint Stock Company, the managing and operating entity, is dispatching additional workers and machinery from neighboring areas to manage the situation and prevent further spread. The Nghi Yen Solid Waste Treatment Complex, located in Hai Loc village, is the largest waste dump in Nghe An province, receiving household waste from the former Vinh City and surrounding areas such as Nghi Loc, Hung Nguyen, and the former Cua Lo. The landfill covers over 50 hectares and consists of eight cells. It has been operational since early 2010, with an average daily processing capacity of about 500 tons. In the past two days, Nghe An has experienced widespread heatwaves, with temperatures ranging from 35-37 degrees Celsius. In July, authorities had warned of forest fire risks ranging from dangerous to extremely dangerous levels across the province. Source: VnExpress