Panama has finally triumphed in its fight against a devastating fire at the Cerro Patacón landfill, the largest in the country. The fire, which broke out on January 18, was declared completely extinguished by the Benemérito Fire Department of the Republic of Panama (BCBRP), after ten days of incessant efforts.
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During this period, the fire generated a dense cloud of toxic smoke, seriously affecting air quality in the capital and causing health problems for at least 40 people who needed medical attention, according to the Ministry of Health.
This landfill, crucial for waste management in Panama, receives more than 40% of the country's waste and extends over more than 130 hectares. However, environmental studies have revealed that its toxic impact extends to about 9 thousand hectares.
The general director of the BCBRP, Ernesto De Léon Echevers, mentioned that, although the flames have been extinguished, they are still Hot spots persist in the Calle 50 Sector of Cerro Patacón, an expected consequence given the magnitude of the fire and the high temperatures typical of the dry season and the El Niño Phenomenon.
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During the crisis, authorities advised residents of the capital to take precautions such as wearing masks and keeping doors and windows closed. A government team composed of 14 institutions came together to combat this disaster, managing to put out the fire in two main sources: the Calle 50 Sector and the tire depot of the Sanitary Landfill.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges Panama faces in waste management, compounded by deficiencies in garbage collection and a lack of waste disposal culture in the community. Fires like this are no stranger to Cerro Patacón, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and effective solutions in waste management.
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*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information published by EFE, and was reviewed by the journalist and an editor.
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