A possible Local environmental disaster

[bevron]

Hi.
On the 10/5/2016 a topic was raised on the Kibkom forum in regards to a council rubbish tip fire in Esentepe. This fire is still burning and although the flames are now not visible the fire still burns below the surface. Although I have a little experience on fires, I have never dealt with the complexities of a local tip fire. That said I do remember that this type of fire is rather unique the reason for this is the composition of the collected materials i.e.:- various plastics, rubber and a multitude of man made fabrics, all of which emit a high level of intoxicants, all very dangerous to humans and the environment.

When a fire occurs in other situations the fire is usually confined to the building and a limited assortment of materials, these do vary but not compared to the variety of materials thrown away and stored and compressed like on a council tip. When a fire starts say in a house the fire is easily fed with oxygen and burns at a very high temperature and subsequently burns rather quickly just like the start of a tip fire. When the flames are extinguished on a tip fire the burning of the materials continue under ground and because of the shortage of oxygen the fire burns at a very low temperature, (like when you dampen down a log burner ). The result of this low temperature burning means that the fire can continue unabated for years depending on the amount of material and the depth of the stored waste.

The smoke that we all can see and smell is not just confined to the nearest houses but throughout a very large area ,even though people at a more distance think they are safe, they are not, the particles in the smoke vary in weight and can be deposited over a large area. the smaller particles less than 2.5 millions of a metre can remain airborne for days and these particles when breathed in will pass directly into the bloodstream.

I realise that this information may appear over the top but I wanted to try and explain the dangers in order for you all to take some form of prevention in order to reduce your contact with the pollutants. There are several ways I believe to put out this fire but can only be done by very professional people who have dealt with this kind of fire, I am not sure if the local fire brigade have this type of experience and the clothing and protection needed to be working in the kind of environment they will be working in. good luck to them but first the powers that be must decide who's responsibility it is which I believe is an ongoing problem.
Bevron.

[Groucho]

It's been burning for two weeks and nobody at the Belediye seems interested.... Well, when their children start developing breathing related disorders and cancers maybe they will pay a bit more attention.

The idea that it will just burn itself out is a ridiculous stance and highly dangerous - the locality is like a tinder box just waiting for a spark to ignite the surrounding forested areas.... I really despair of their attitude.

If nothing is done to extinguish it then I predict it will burn for several months more... who knows what havoc will ensue... it's about time the TRNC Government stepped in and acted to put it out....

[tomsteel]

Ah Groucho, if only!