Firefighting efforts ongoing while Empangeni landfill continues to smoulder

As smoke clouds continue to blanket Empangeni and surrounding areas amid the burning landfill site, the City of uMhlathuze says firefighters are working tirelessly to extinguish the blaze.

Although the site belongs to King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM), the city has brought in reinforcements to boost the district’s efforts.

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“Over the last weeks, the district with assistance from the City of uMhlathuze has been utilising excavators and heavy plant machinery to manage the smouldering site, particularly in different parts of Cell 2.

“While the City of uMhlathuze is not directly involved in the operations, we are providing advice and support.

“It is crucial to understand that water cannot be used on a smouldering site. Instead, the fire must be suffocated with covering materials such as soil,” said uMhlathuze communications manager Bongani Gina.

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The fire at the KCDM landfill site began over the weekend of 1 June. Despite firefighting efforts, the flammable nature of the waste, exacerbated by methane gases, continues to smoulder.

“Currently, KCDM is using soil and other cover materials to manage the smoke still emanating from the site. We have collectively agreed not to utilise the smouldering area for waste disposal until the situation is fully resolved.”

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