Residents and local chicken farms face escalating risks from a persistent landfill fire in Prachin Buri province.
PUBLISHED : 8 Feb 2025 at 17:10
The ongoing fire at the Tambon Kabin administrative organisation’s landfill in Kabin Buri district is creating alarm among local residents and chicken farm operators as firefighters struggle to bring it under control.
Since the fire started on Saturday, five fire engines have been deployed, yet the blaze continues to consume a towering stockpile of waste over three metres in height. Visible from four kilometres away, the landfill spans over 50 rai (80,000 square metres) and lies just 500 metres from a community home to five chicken farms.
Natthapong Saengla, owner of a nearby chicken farm, expressed grave concerns after already experiencing adverse effects from smoke on two separate occasions this year. He emphasized the increasing smoke poses a significant risk to his farm, where 200,000 birds are housed.
Worsening air quality, including concerns about harmful PM2.5 particulate matter, complicates the situation as smoke and odors drift from the fire. Local residents fear for their health and the welfare of their livestock.
Dry weather conditions have exacerbated the fire, hindering firefighting efforts. Local officials are collaborating with excavators to clear debris to enhance water application efficacy in battling the blaze.
Initial investigations suggest the fire may have been ignited by heat or could have spread from a nearby wildfire. In an effort to combat air pollution, the government announced a “no-burn” policy last month, threatening penalties for violators.
