Bureau of Fire Protection personnel conduct water suppression operations at the closed Navotas Sanitary Landfill Facility as authorities continue efforts to contain the lingering underground fire. (Photo from Mayor John Rey Tiangco/Facebook)
The Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) will begin soil-cover operations on Monday, April 13, to block oxygen and suppress the underground fire at the closed Navotas Sanitary Landfill Facility. The blaze remains contained but continues to smolder beneath the surface.
In a statement, the DRRMO said the fire cannot yet be declared out due to possible internal combustion within the waste mass, despite only smoke being observed for most of Sunday.
It added that a brief flare-up was recorded at 5:12 p.m. in the landfill’s northern section.
The agency said the situation remains controlled, although subsurface ignition persists due to trapped heat and changing wind conditions.
Officials said the fire remains contained due to the landfill’s island location, preventing any spread to nearby communities.
The soil cover operation is expected to seal the waste surface and cut off oxygen supply, a critical step in stopping smoldering and preventing further flare-ups.
Air quality in Navotas improved to a moderate level, with the Air Quality Index recorded at 60 as of 6 p.m. Sunday, down from 119 at midday.
Residents were advised to continue wearing face masks and limit outdoor activities amid the lingering risk of residual smoke and possible re-ignition.
The Navotas City Health Office deployed its DRRM-H team to Obando National High School to assess evacuees and provide medical assistance.
More than 2,000 face masks were distributed in coordination with the LGU of Obando to help mitigate health risks.
Authorities said coordinated efforts among local agencies will continue until the fire is fully extinguished and the risk of re-ignition is eliminated.