(St. Croix, USVI) - The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (‘VIWMA” or “Authority”) Preserving Paradise team updates the community on the status of the Anguilla Landfill fire which started on Sunday, June 30th.
At 3:00 a.m., VIWMA received notification of a fire at the Anguilla Landfill. Upon investigation, the fire was seen coming from several A9 equipment on the premises. The fire has since spread to the metal pile located on the south east pile on the property which continued to the tire pile producing large plumes of white and black smoke. The fire has not reached the mangrove area located on the southwestern quadrant of the property and has since been contained within the incident zone.
In response to the blaze, a Unified Incident Command Center (UICC) was activated on site. The key agencies of the UICC included the Virgin Islands Fire Service (VIFS), VIWMA, Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA), Virgin Islands Department of Health, Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital (JFLH), Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) and the Virgin Islands National Guard (VING).
The VIFS dispatched an aerial drone which assisted in providing a clear view of the area. DPNR enforcement Unit and VIFS Chief were dispatched and conducted an on-ground and sea assessment of the incident. The Authority contractor cleared debris east of the landfill to the ocean and granted the VIFS access to another area of the incident.
The VING’s 23rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) has deployed air sampling instruments. The tests were conducted 15-20ft from the flames and upwind from the affected area. Based on the air samples collected, there were no hazards detected that presents a health concern to the general population. Air sampling will continue to be conducted until the fire is extinguished. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Puerto Rico and New York, will be providing additional support.
Observations and assessments in the Frederiksted area were conducted late yesterday evening. The smoke dissipates as it travels west and has been observed more in the southern coastal area. Based on the trajectory of the plume, the fire is not expected to impact cisterns. It is recommended that residents with respiratory ailments, or other existing conditions that may have been triggered as a result of smoke inhalation, shelter in place to minimize exposure or relocate, if necessary. No injuries as a result of the fire have been reported. JFLH and the VIDOH’S Emergency Medical Services are prepared to support, respond, and provide immediate assistance to residents impacted. Based on preliminary assessments there is no imminent danger to residents.
The Authority advises the public and all solid waste haulers that the St. Croix Transfer Station and Anguilla Landfill remains closed and will only accept household (bin sites) and government waste at this time.
Residents are asked practice waste minimization techniques and to hold bulky waste at home; the public and all haulers are asked to hold waste until normal operating hours resume. The Authority will continue to provide updates that may affect public health, the environment and haulers utilizing the Transfer Station and Landfill.
The VIWMA Preserving Paradise team apologizes for the inconvenience and would like to thank the community and facility users for their continued patience and cooperation.
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