The Uikala landfill has burned more than 10 times this year. In May, it took 200 rescuers 9 days to extinguish a fire. This time, they hope to cope faster.
The work of the rescuers began on Sunday afternoon. Janar Kärner, head of the Ida Rescue Center, says they hope to fix everything in a couple of days. However, it is possible that they will have to return again.
The Environmental Board believes that the causes of the fires are old violations. Old waste piles do not meet environmental requirements and the project. Fires occur during the closure of the old landfill.
Rainer Vakra, Director General of the Environmental Board, says there have been no fires in the new landfill area. Fires occur where the old waste pile is being liquidated. Old waste gets oxygen and ignites on its own.
The Environmental Board has stopped the closure work on the old landfill. Vakra says a good extinguishing system is needed. If smoke is seen during the work, it must be extinguished immediately.
The extinguishing work at the Uikala landfill has been going on for the second day. Waste is brought to the landfill from all Ida-Viru municipalities. The landfill cannot simply be closed.
Eve East, Mayor of Toila, says everything possible must be done so that rescuers do not have to spend a lot of money and resources on extinguishing fires.
The company Ekovir, which manages the landfill, has received many fines and orders. Their debt to the state has decreased. After the May fire, the company announced that it would do everything possible to solve the problem.