Navotas landfill fire burns at least 28.6 hectares — PhilSA

The fire at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill has burned at least 28.6 hectares as of last Thursday, according to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA). 

In a statement Tuesday, the PhilSA said satellite images taken six days after the fire began showed an estimated 28.58 hectares, or about 285,800 square meters, of land affected.

“For comparison, this area is slightly larger than the Quezon Memorial Circle,” PhilSA said.

The agency added that the map has been turned over to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to support response efforts.

Earlier, PhilSA reported that smoke from the massive landfill fire had reached as far as Bataan.

The smoke also caused unhealthy air quality levels in several areas, prompting the Office of Civil Defense to advise the public to wear face masks and limit outdoor activities to reduce exposure to pollutants.

The fire, which started on April 10, was still burning as of Tuesday.

The national government has mobilized resources to help contain the blaze amid its environmental impact.—MCG, GMA News