A fire at the Beetham Landfill has been contained, “but is still generating grey smoke”, according to an advisory from the Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL).
Two fires were detected at the Beetham Landfill Site at approximately 11:30 pm on Wednesday (February 19, 2025)—one fire was located on the eastern side while the other was on the western tip of the landfill.
SWMCOL has confirmed that the fire in the eastern area has been extinguished.
However, while the fire in the western area has been contained, it is still generating grey smoke.
The waste management company warns:
“This fire has the potential to affect the air quality of Port of Spain and its Environs.”
As at 11:00 am today, the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at the EMA’s Port of Spain Monitoring Station was 154, in the UNHEALTHY range.
At this AQI range, there is increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive groups including older adults, children, and people with respiratory ailments and allergies; aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in people with heart or lung disease.
When the AQI is in this range, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and people with respiratory ailments and allergies are advised to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
SWMCOL says its Emergency Management Team (EMT) and contractors “are actively engaged in smothering the fire.”
“SWMCOL expresses its appreciation to the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services (TTFS) for their assistance in containing the fire during the early hours of 20th February 2025,” the company said in its advisory.
“SWMCOL apologizes for any inconvenience which may be encountered during the firefighting process,” it added.
