Fire at Panama's largest landfill spreads toxic smoke over capital

A huge fire at a garbage dump on the outskirts of Panama City sent toxic smoke into the country's capital on Friday, forcing evacuations as firefighters struggled to put out the flames.

Authorities said the case was likely the result of an arson attack the night before.

Firefighters highlighted at a press conference that the garbage dump known as Cerro Patacon, the largest in the country, had between 6 and 8 hectares affected by the fire, out of the more than 130 affected hectares it has.

“Everything points to the fire having been started deliberately,” said fire chief Ernesto de Leon at a press conference.

Panama's Health Minister, Luis Francisco Sucre, told reporters that evacuations were being carried out to protect residents from the flames and toxic gases. Health centers have also been set up to treat cases of visual irritation and respiratory problems, he added.

Sucre advised vulnerable people in affected areas to move around or use air conditioning and face masks.

Videos on social media showed a helicopter flying above thick gray smoke billowing across the water as birds scattered overhead.

Citing fire department lieutenant Angel Delgado, local channel La Prensa reported that around US$350,000 was spent on the disaster, although the amount could soon exceed half a million dollars.

Since 6 am, around 28 thousand liters of water have been sprayed on the area, authorities reported, saying that around 60% of the fire has been controlled, a rate that could reach 90% by Saturday (20).

President Laurentino Cortizo wrote in X that an action plan was activated “from the moment the fire started.”

Although the authorities were evacuating around 75 families living in the vicinity this Thursday night, reported La Prensa, many refused to leave their homes, many of which were improvised.

According to the local press, at least 15 fires occurred on Cerro Patacon in 2023.