Landfill near Almaty burns for third day: firefighters from other regions arrive to help

Tengrinews.kz – A landfill for solid household waste in Almaty Region has been burning for the third day in a row. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) has brought in additional forces from other regions to fight the fire.

What happened

On September 15, eyewitnesses driving along the Almaty–Taldykorgan highway reported a large fire at the landfill. They also sent a video to the newsroom showing flames and thick smoke.

Later, the Department for Emergency Situations (DES) of Almaty Region reported that land reclamation work, landfill coverage with soil, and fire suppression efforts are ongoing at the scene.

Scale of emergency response

The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) stated that the fire has not yet been fully extinguished.

“Additional forces and equipment have been deployed from the emergency departments of Almaty, Shymkent, Zhetysu, Abai, Karaganda, Turkestan, and Zhambyl regions, as well as servicemen from military units 52859 (named after Martbek Mamraev) and 68303 (named after Kasym Kaysenov) of the MES. In total, more than 200 personnel and over 90 units of equipment are involved,” the Ministry said.

Challenges in firefighting

According to the MES, extinguishing the fire is complicated by the high fire load. The depth of smoldering reaches 10 meters, and the wind direction keeps shifting.

“11 hose lines and 1 portable monitor nozzle are being used to combat the fire,” the MES reported.

Firefighting method

The MES emphasized that all necessary measures are being carried out around the clock.

“Day and night, rescuers are covering fire pockets with inert materials, followed by soil compaction. This method blocks oxygen access to the smoldering areas and ensures full extinguishment,” the Ministry explained.

Command structure and coordination

Additionally, under the order of Major General Chingis Arinov, Minister for Emergency Situations, Erlan Turegeldiev, Chair of the Fire Service Committee, arrived at the site.

Operations are coordinated both on-site and from the central command center of the MES.

An emergency operations headquarters has been set up at the landfill to oversee and monitor fire suppression efforts 24/7.

“Six firefighting sectors have been established. Continuous water supply has been organized using a hose pump truck stationed at the Teren-Kara River, with a main line laid out. A total of six units of equipment are in operation: one hose pump truck and five water tankers,” added the MES.